Radio Times: Review by:; David Gillard

In 2014 the Monteverdi Choir celebrates its 50th birthday — and the big occasion will be marked in the Choir’s special way with another great musical pilgrimage. They have already undertaken a Bach Cantata Pilgrimage and a Pilgrimage to Santiago but now they plan to bring their magnificent Renaissance polyphony to churches and cathedrals along the ancient Via Francigena, the medieval pilgrims’ route from Canterbury to Rome.

This concert, however, was given at Christ Church, Spitalfields, with a very English programme — A Cappella Pilgrimage, an overview of the development of sacred music in England during the 16th century. Their founder, John Eliot Gardiner, conducts.

About this programme

Live from Christ Church, London, as part of the 2012 Spitalfields Festival. The Monteverdi Choir and John Eliot Gardiner perform music by some of the great masters of English Renaissance polyphony - Tallis, White, Byrd and Tomkins - presenting an overview of the development of sacred music in England during the 16th century. Presented by Martin Handley. Tallis: Te lucis ante terminum; O nata lux; Suscipe quaeso Domine. White: Lamentations of Jeremiah. Byrd: Laudibus in sanctis; Ad Dominum cum tribularer; Turn Our Captivity, O Lord; Vide, Domine, quoniam tribulor; Vigilate; Ave verum corpus; Infelix ego. Tomkins: Almighty God, the Fountain of All Wisdom. Byrd: Non nobis Domine. Monteverdi Choir, conductor John Eliot Gardiner.