Grace Davidson reviews
Byrd 1588 (Consort Songs)
Grace Davidson (soprano); Alamire; Fretwork/David Skinner (Inventa)
Works by Handel & Vivaldi
Grace Davidson; Academy of Ancient Music/Joseph Crouch (Signum Records)
Purcell: Royal Welcome Songs for King Charles II
The Sixteen; The Sixteen Orchestra/Harry Christophers (Coro)
JS Bach: St Matthew Passion
The St Matthew Passion was part of Good Friday Vespers, the biblical narrative and the chorales familiar to the congregation, and in their native language. Jeffrey Skidmore’s Ex Cathedra forces, in this recording released to celebrate the group’s 40th anniversary, reflect Bach’s own practice in many respects – period instruments, soloists picked from the choir, and a fine sense of performance style.