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American Polyphony / Layton, Polyphony

Thompson,R. / Barber,S. / Layton,Stephen Release Date: 07/10/2015
Label: Hyperion Catalog #: 67929 Spars Code: DDD
Composer:  Randall Thompson ,  Samuel Barber ,  Leonard Bernstein ,  Aaron Copland Conductor:  Stephen Layton Orchestra/Ensemble:  Polyphony Number of Discs: 1

An all-too-rare new recording from Polyphony and Stephen Layton presents highlights from the choral repertoire by four twentieth-century American giants: Samuel Barber, Leonard Bernstein, Aaron Copland and Randall Thompson . Framed by Thompson's understated favourites Alleluia and Fare Well, the programme includes Bernstein's Missa brevis, Copland's early set of four motets, and-of course-Barber's inimitable Agnus Dei.

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Performance: 5 Stars (out of 5) / Recording: 5 Stars (out of 5)
I've no hesitation in saying this is the finest performance of Barber's Agnus Dei I've heard by any choir, live or on record. … Hyperion's engineering achieves a virtually ideal balance between allowing a degree of Read more resonance from the church acoustic to warm the textures, and shining light into the inner workings of the vocal writing. ... A wonderful recital, not to be missed.

– BBC Music Magazine Read less