Review: The Sixteen *****

At Leeds University Great Hall

IT'S hard to imagine a Saturday evening programme of Tudor choral music, with tickets at the equivalent of 25, would have filled a hall in Leeds even 20 years ago.

That this one did says something about our growing appreciation of this repertoire and rather more about one of the choirs responsible for the change in taste.

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The Sixteen, founded and directed by Harry Christophers, is a mixed-voice ensemble of exceptional technique and expressive quality that rarely conforms to its name.

Eighteen were on stage to sing works by Byrd, Tallis and John Sheppard and rarely has this seemingly calm counterpoint sounded so alive or emotionally intense.

It was a revelation to hear the sensuous beauty of spiritual works like Sheppard's monumental antiphon Media vita in morte sumus, with its dazzling textures, and Byrd's deeply felt, Infelix ego.

Clarity of line is one hallmark of this choir, balance of voices is another – yet equally impressive is the director's ability to find the right pulse to animate each piece. While Byrd's Laudibus in sanctis danced in joyous expression, Tallis's complex Miserere nostri, were explored with remarkable grace.

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