Allegri’s Miserere & Music of Rome = Works of ANERIO; GALLEGRI – Cardinall's Musique/organists/Carwood

Allegri’s Miserere & the Music of Rome = FELICE ANERIO: Salve regina; GREGORIO ALLEGRI: De lamentation Jeremiae prophetae; Miserere mei, Deus; Incipit lamentation Jeremiae prophetae; Gustate et videte; PALESTRINA: Cantantibus organis; STABILE, SORIANO, DRAGONI, PALESTRINA, GIOVANNELLI, SANTINI, MANCINI, ANONYMOUS: Missa Cantantibus organis – The Cardinall’s Musick/ Andrew Carwood, conductor/ Simon Johnson, James McVinnie, Robert Quinney – organ – Hyperion 67860 [Distr. by Harmonia mundi] ****:
Andrew Carwood and company continue their excellent series for Hyperion, this time focusing on the invigorated musical scene that took place in late sixteenth century Rome, still in the fresh flush of the Counter-reformation, when a new and renewed emphasis was placed on artistic endeavors of all kind, not least the music used for liturgical purposes. Though top billing goes to Gregorio Allegri and his effervescent Miserere—and three other works here—the pride of place remains with the unusual and effective Missa Cantantibus organis, essentially a commissioned piece that drew together seven composers that were all members of the Vertuosa Compagnia dei Musici di Roma, a sort of mutual support society that was the forerunner of the more famous Accademia di Santa Cecilia. The mass is based on Palestrina’s work of the same name, providing a tribute to both he—the dean of Roman composers—and St. Cecelia herself. However, there are some sections with no ascription assigned and some parts are incomplete, though there remain several differing sources for the work.
The remaining pieces on this disc are all fine examples of what was happening at the time and all contain hints of Palestrina’s influence to some degree, even when that influence is being avoided. The performances are excellent, though I must say that I continue to prefer the Miserere as done by the Tallis Scholars on Gimell. But I liked this very much as a concept album and anyone already familiar with The Cardinall’s Musick needs no persuasion. The sound is perfect, slightly reverberant and very clear.
— Steven Ritter