From music spanning the 15th century (Josquin, Mouton) to the present (Adès, Taverner), Paul McCreesh and the Gabrieli Consort pick a bouquet of choral music composed in homage to the Virgin Mary that enchants and cleanses the ear
Not only will aficionados of early music flip for this CD - the austerity of early music appeals greatly to fans of contemporary music. Early music’s purity marries perfectly to contemporary music’s preference to downplay overt emotionalism. All a cappella, A Spotless Rose, recorded in the acoustically perfect and sacred setting of Lady Chapel of England’s Ely Cathedral, vibrates listeners up into the loftiest realms of the soul

“'My intention was to create a collection of private meditations highlighting the key events of Mary's life,' writes Paul McCreesh, 'Like the Book ofHours, it would consist of works intended for metaphysical reflection: for revealing and and commenting on the ineffable.' It's a tremendously rewarding sequence, some 13 items in all spanning no fewer than 600 years, and so cannily programmed that temporal and stylistic boundaries shift and sometimes evaporate altogether: prepare to marvel at the way Josquin's Ave Maria,Virgo serena follows on so naturally from Sir John Tavener's ravishing A Hymn to the Mother of God.Tavener is one of five living figures represented, the contributions by Giles Swayne, Thomas Adès and James MacMillan adding a not unwelcome element of astringency to the mix and contrasting boldly with the transcendent diatonic radiance of Górecki's Totus tuus.There can be nothing but praise for the breathtaking assurance and responsiveness of McCreesh's singers throughout.Emanating from the magically apt surroundings of Ely Cathedral's Lady Chapel, the sound is as atmospheric and voluptuous as can be imagined, though the formidable resonance means that the words are not always ideally clear. But that's about the only grumble, for this is indeed a glorious CD.” The Gramophone Classical Music Guide