This disc includes some of the most massive and complex vocal works ever composed, including the magnificent 40-part Motet "Spem in Alium," by Thomas Tallis. The expression "walls of sound" applies here, except that they are great cathedral walls. For those who don't know "Spem in Alium," it is one of the most beautiful and ethereal pieces in the history of music. Very highly recommended.

Another one of my favorite Savall/ Montserrat Figueras recordings. This SACD includes some of the most unusual, and other worldly music that I have ever heard. It is one of three volumes of "Songs of the Sibyl"--music that serves as prophetic warnings about the end of time.

This is my favorite collection of Tallis Scholar highlights, of which there are several. Included is their famous recording of Allegri's Miserere, and Sheppard's Media Vita--which Tallis singer, Tessa Bonner, once described as music she wished to be played at her funeral (EDIT: I have just heard of the untimely death of this wonderful artist, and am deeply saddened by the news--what a great loss.)

This release was available in both CD and SACD formats (this is the Hybrid SACD release--which sounds better even on a regular CD player), and contains one of the finest performances of Tallis's 40-part Motet "Spem in Alium" in the current catalogue. Also included is a performance of the Tallis "Miserere" that is a revelation. Highly recommended.

This is volume 1 (of 2) of Andrew Parrott's survey of Latin Church Music by Thomas Tallis, performed here by the Taverner Choir. Both volumes are also available together at a lower cost on Virgin Veritas. While I have some reservations about this set as a whole, Parrott's performance of Spem in Alium is one of the finest I have ever heard.

I am virtually certain that this superb CD has been reissued at a discount price, but I don't seem to be able to locate it here. Nevertheless, it contains some very exotic and interesting music, and is one of the finest recordings that the Orlando Consort has made to date.

More great performances by the Hilliard Ensemble of some very remarkable music. It is a pity these are now out of print and so expensive. (Edit: The original EMI Reflexe release of this cd has been reissued by Archiv Music at a more reasonable price.)

Another fantastic group, The Medieval Ensemble of London, whose wonderful recordings--fortunately--are finally coming back into print. Highly Recommended.

Again, it is a pity that this great disc of Josquin Desprez Motets by the Orlando Consort is now out of print and so expensive, as it contains some of the most beautiful performances in my entire collection. The counter tenor singing is among the best that I have ever heard. My very highest recommendation.

As brilliant as the Tallis Scholars critically acclaimed recordings of Josquin Masses are, I prefer these recordings by the French group A Sei Voci--simply because they move me more deeply in these works. This disc is just one in a series by this group devoted to Josquin masses.

Lassus has been called the "Shakespeare" of music, and he is an extraordinary composer. His Penitential Psalms challenge me in a way that I find hard to put into words--they seem so perfect. Unlike other recordings, the Hilliards add instrumentation to the Psalms, played here by the Kees Boeke Consort. This would be very highly recommended, if it weren't for the ridiculously high price of $215.

A superb collection of Lassus Motets performed by the Hilliard Ensemble, and for a change offered at a more affordable price--$16.99.

Another brilliant Hilliard recording that is, alas, out of print and very expensive--a pity.

The Gothic Voices is another extraordinary group, and this is one of my favorite recordings by them. If you like this, I would also recommend their cd--"Music for the Lion-hearted King."

A single disc selection from Davitt Moroney's remarkable complete survey of William Byrd's keyboard works. If you think that there was no great keyboard music written before the time of Bach, have a listen to this.

Du Caurroy's rarely recorded instrumental "Fantasies" are here given excellent performances by Jordi Savall and Hesperion XX. However, there is a Harnoncourt recording of one or two of these pieces dating back to the late 1960s that is even better, but hard to find. Nevertheless, these are some of the most profound instrumental works of the period, and strongly recommended.

After many years, this is still one of my favorite recordings by the Tallis Scholars, and is a definite "desert island" disc in my collection. Their performance of Allegri's Miserere here is also included in the "Essential Tallis" set above, but the Mundy and Palestrina performances are not, and they are equally remarkable. Very highly recommended.

Of Munrow's many compilation sets, this one remains a personal favorite.

An excellent recording of Dufay's St. Anthony Mass by Alexander Blachly and his group Pomerium.

Ah, I found the new discount release of "Dreams in the Pleasure Garden" spoken about above. However, it is now simply entitled: "Machaut; Chansons." At this price it is a real bargain--one of the better collections of Medieval songs in the catalogue.