The figure of William Mundy appears to be shrouded in some mystery but his career also appears to be an eventful one spanning the reigns of four monarchs throughout whom enormous upheavals in church life occurred.
This collection of music attempts to set right the incorrect disposition that certain English composers owe their debt solely to Weelkes, Tallis and Blow. I was completely bowled over by works such as 'Vox patris caelestis', an eighteen minute peroration full of the inherent characteristics prevalent in the rich seam of English cathedral music. An intriguing 'Magnificat' and 'Videte miraculum' are also works of singular originality together with a host of shorter pieces that also demonstrate Mundy's wide ranging originality.
The Sixteen are obviously finely attuned to this type of music and the reissue of this splendid CD now joins the Tallis, Tye and Tomkins contributions in the Helios range as a beautiful collection at a snippet price.
Copyright © 2002, Gerald Fenech