This collection of vocal music from the late 15th century is delightfully intimate. The Clerks' Group, a small ensemble specializing in a French and Flemish repertoire, perform a bright and inspiring program. Though the dates of these early pieces are somewhat in question, their timeless beauty is not. The polyphonious rondeau of Robert Morton's 'Il Sera pour Vous' combines romance and subtle humor in the tenor's chivalric rendition of Johannes Ockeghem's 'L'Homme Arm,' within the piece.

The Franco-Flemish composer, Johannes Ockeghem, sang at Antwerp at the Bourbon court before joining the French royal chapel in 1451. Ockeghem spent most of his professional life at the French chapel and his output was quite prolific. He composed 14 settings of the Mass, including one of the earliest polyphonic versions of the Requiem. Ockeghem also composed numerous motets and secular songs. He was one of the most original voices in early Renaissance polyphony and his music dazzles with its ingenuity and beauty.

The two choirs of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge return to Resonus Classics to collaborate once more on a new recording of contemporary works for Advent and Christmas. Featuring many world premiere recordings, the programme includes works written specially for the two college choirs including Diana Burrell’s exuberant carol, Green groweth the holly; Christopher Fox’s major new setting of the O Anitphons, insterpersed with the original plainchant, and Jeremy Thurlow’s Magnificat for upper voices, organ and tape, that blazes with the intensity of a new vision of the world.