William Mundy: Sacred Choral Music

Delphian

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William Mundy holds a unique position within the early defining years of English sacred music. Younger than Tallis but older than Byrd, he lived through the theological ping-pong of Henry VIII’S break from Rome, Mary’s reversion to Catholicism, and Elizabeth I’s re-reversal. His music is intriguing in its attempts to address both Reformation and Counter Reformation styles. This colourful new recording from the choir of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Edinburgh, under Duncan Ferguson, features two extraordinary large scale Marian works, the beautiful

Vox patris caelestis and Maria virgo sanctissima, thought to have been sung for Mary on the eve of her 1553 coronation. The quality of singing from the St Mary’s choir – homogenous yet characterful – makes complete sense of the protracted structures. Coupled with shorter works, and the composite In

exitu Israel by Sheppard, Byrd and Mundy, this is an eye-opener to the music of an underrated composer.