"This is the first time I’d come across Contrapunctus, and I sought out this disc on the recommendation of another who had heard it. I’m heartily glad I did The centrepiece of the disc, and its fitting culmination, is Sheppard’s vast Media vita It’s performed here with spellbinding beauty. Each voice weaves in and out of the others radiant beauty and bell-like clarity, and it’s like watching some great structure taking place before your very eyes (or ears). The soaring soprano lines sometimes seems as though about to take flight, while the basses far below keep the steady chant of the line going with the minimum of fuss. It’s breathtaking, and Rees directs the whole thing with the steady hand of somebody who has made it his care and delight to bring this music to life. Of much more than just historical importance, this disc deserves to find a wide audience." 

"... heartily recommended."

"Their [Contrapunctus] sound is refined and clear, even pungent, but not without warmth. Ensemble and intonation are excellent this is a first rate English early music sound ..."

Editor’s Choice - Choral & Song section

Performance *****    Recoding ****

"... The music from the Baldwin Partbooks is absolutely first-rate Owen Ree’s interpretations are revelatory and even visionary ..." 

"There’s lovely balance and clarity of sound from as fine a clutch of voices, especially characterful at the lower end, as one might wish, directed with breadth and sympathy by Owen Rees."

" ... searingly beautiful "     **** 

Editor’s Choice - Vocal Section

"The singing throughout is consistently full-toned and focussed, but essentially for this repertoire constantly ready with expresive crescenos and decrescendos to mark textual changes in mood. With its nine highly experienced singers (boosted to ten for the larger works) Contrapunctus is the ideal group for this superb repertoire, and I look forward with eager aniticipation to future CDs in this series." - D James Ross What an absolutely superb disc, both musically and musicologically! .. Extraordinary music, gloriously peformed!)" 

Album of the Week

"... Ree’s choir brings an intensity of sound and dramatic dynamics, in music that contemplates the pain of death in ecstatic elation and sublime devotion."