Utopia Triumphans
A greatly expanded Huelgas Ensemble performs here a collection of multivoice works--pieces that are often referred to but, for logistical reasons, rarely performed. Tallis's famousSpem in alium non habuifor 40 voices is here, of course; so is the piece that inspired it, Striggio's 40-voiceEcce beatam lucem. Also included are two extraordinary canons: Ockeghem's 36-voiceDeo gratiasand Josquin's 24-voiceQui habitat--as well as relatively modest pieces for 13 to 16 voices by Porta and Gabrieli.Spemhas had livelier performances (try theTallis Scholars on Gimell), but none of the others have been recorded elsewhere at all, let alone as well as this. You're not likely to hear them in concert, either, so check this disc out.--Matthew Westphal