{"id":7232,"date":"2021-11-09T11:51:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-09T10:51:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/?p=125994"},"modified":"2021-11-09T12:12:09","modified_gmt":"2021-11-09T11:12:09","slug":"10-best-choirs-in-the-world","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/rss_feed\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world\/","title":{"rendered":"10 best choirs in the world"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>

By Jeremy Pound\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Tuesday, 09 November 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

We put this list of the world\u2019s greatest choirs together and then immediately questioned whether we\u2019d been too Britain-centric, because of the sheer number of UK choirs we\u2019d picked out. Having looked at a few more of these kinds of lists from around the internet, it does indeed seems to be a running theme \u2013 British vocal ensembles dominate. <\/strong><\/p>\n

What is it that makes them stand out from the bunch? Our ancient choral traditions and Oxbridge college choirs definitely play their part. Despite our shortcomings in other areas of musical education, clearly we\u2019re doing something right with choral music. There are a wealth of vastly different choirs included in our line-up, from the more traditional cathedral choirs to ancient Eastern European choirs.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

The best choirs in the world<\/h2>\n
Escolania de Montserrat<\/h3>\n\nBased up in the Catalonian hills above Barcelona, this boys-only choir (trebles and altos, no lower voices) can trace its roots back to the 1300s, making it one of the oldest choirs in Europe.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a class=\""standard-card-newarticle-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/50-greatest-composers-all-time\/"\">The 50 Greatest Composers of All Time<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a class=\""standard-card-newarticle-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/recordings\/50-greatest-recordings-all-time\/"\">The 50 greatest recordings of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>Around 50 in number, the choir\u2019s daily routine involves singing services at the Abbey of Montserrat, a popular destination for pilgrims, but it also tours widely and has recorded many discs.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\nMissa Salisburgensis<\/strong><br\/>\nT\u00f6lzer Knabenchor, Escolania de Montserrat, Collegium Aureum & Ireneu Segarra<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Missa-Salisburgensis-Escolania-Montserrat-Segarra\/dp\/B01M8NYO0V\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/7940696--missa-salisburgensis"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Estonian\" philharmonic=\"\" chamber=\"\" choir.=\"\" arvo=\"\" p=\"\" salve=\"\" regina=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/nOX5ex7PIu8?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nLittle surprise that a nation famous for song \u2013 its independence from the USSR was preceded by a \u2018Singing Revolution\u2019 of massed voices in Tallinn in 1988 \u2013 should boast one of the world\u2019s finest choirs. Founded in 1981 by Tonu Kaljuste, who conducted it for 20 years before handing over the baton to Paul Hillier, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir is wide-ranging in its repertoire, but is especially well known for its performances and recordings of Estonian composers such as <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/arvo-part\/"\">Arvo P\u00e4rt<\/a><\/strong> and Veljo Tormis.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/arvo-part-adams-lament\/"\">Arvo P\u00e4rt: Adam\u2019s Lament<\/a><br\/><\/b>Latvian Radio Choir; Sinfonietta Riga; Vox Clamantis; Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir; Tallinn Chamber Orchestra\/Tonu Kalijuste<br\/><\/b><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/arvo-part-adams-lament\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Adams-Lament-Arvo-Part\/dp\/B008U0FI7M\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.hive.co.uk\/Product\/Arvo-Part-Adams-Lament\/14312170"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Hive<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8024044--arvo-part-adam-s-lament"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/arvo-part-adams-lament\/0028947648253.html"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>Choir of King\u2019s College, Cambridge<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""The\" choir=\"\" of=\"\" king=\"\" college=\"\" cambridge=\"\" sing=\"\" the=\"\" hallelujah=\"\" easter=\"\" from=\"\" bbc=\"\" two=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/9cP5CfwiYvw?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nFamiliar to millions of listeners thanks to the BBC Radio broadcast of its Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols every Christmas Eve, a tradition dating back to 1928. Though the choir itself has been in existence since the college\u2019s foundation in 1441, it is since the 1960s \u2013 under choirmasters David Willcocks, Philip Ledger and Stephen Cleobury \u2013 that its reputation, just like its distinctive treble sound, has really soared.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/bruckner-mass-no-2-in-e-minor-motets\/"\">Bruckner<\/strong><\/a><br\/>\nMass No. 2 in E minor; Motets<br\/>\nHenry Websdale, Donal McCann (organ); Academy of St Martin in the Fields; Choir of King\u2019s College, Cambridge\/Stephen Cleobury<br\/>King\u2019s College KGS0035\u00a0\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/bruckner-mass-no-2-in-e-minor-motets\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Mass-No-Minor-WAB-27\/dp\/B08GRB2J36\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8813216--bruckner-mass-in-e-minor-motets"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.europadisc.co.uk\/classical\/148987\/Bruckner_-_Mass_no.2_in_E_minor,_Motets.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on Europadisc<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>Mississippi Mass Choir<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""The\" mississippi=\"\" mass=\"\" choir=\"\" a=\"\" city=\"\" built=\"\" four=\"\" square=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""150"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/tpwFZMz4Az8?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nOne hopes that Jerry Mannery, director of the Mississippi Mass Choir, has a large mantelpiece, as his pre-eminent gospel ensemble has won countless awards since it was set up by Frank Williams in the late-1980s. When not singing or recording at its home patch in Jackson, Mississippi, the choir regularly showcases its talents abroad, including singing for Pope John Paul II when on tour in Italy.<\/p>\n<h3>St Paul\u2019s Cathedral Choir<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""St\" paul=\"\" cathedral=\"\" choir=\"\" scott=\"\" the=\"\" beauty=\"\" of=\"\" earth=\"\" john=\"\" rutter=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Rfo7OHUW3DI?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nSt Paul\u2019s Choir enjoyed arguably its highest profile moment when the Cathedral hosted the wedding of <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/search\/?q=Prince+Charles+and+Lady+Diana+Spencer"\">Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer<\/a> in 1981. It was in the 1870s that, as choirmaster, composer John Stainer turned a fairly ramshackle outfit into a highly polished ensemble. Cricketer Alastair Cook and actor Simon Russell Beale are among the former trebles to have plied their trade beneath the building\u2019s famous dome.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/howell-requiem-june-12\/"\">Howells: Requiem<\/a><br\/><\/b>Simon Bland, Jeremy Cole (organ); The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge\/Stephen Layton<br\/>Hyperion CDA67914<\/em><br\/><\/b><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/howell-requiem-june-12\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Howells-Trinity-College-Choir-Cambridge\/dp\/B0072A4FC0\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8005432--howells-requiem-other-works"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/stephen-laytonchoir-of-trinity-college-cambridge-finzi\/0034571282220.html"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>The Sixteen<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""The\" sixteen:=\"\" a=\"\" new=\"\" version=\"\" of=\"\" allegri=\"\" miserere=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/hAwzChKpDi0?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nPedants beware \u2013 The Sixteen don\u2019t always perform with 16 singers. However, this was the number of friends who first got together when the group was assembled by conductor Harry Christophers in 1977.<\/p>\n<ul><li class=\""heading-1\" template-articletitle=\"\" template-articletitle--headline-led=\"\"><a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/works\/20-greatest-symphonies-all-time\/"\">The 20 Greatest Symphonies of all time<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<li><a href=\""http:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/article\/20-greatest-conductors-all-time"\">The 20 Greatest Conductors of all time<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Today, The Sixteen has nearly 100 discs under its belt, and its regular \u2018Choral Pilgrimage\u2019 concert tours around the UK and beyond are sell-out affairs. Though renowned for their mastery of Renaissance repertoire, their reach stretches well beyond that.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/sixteen-sing-macmillans-stabat-mater\/"\">MacMillan: Stabat Mater<\/b><\/a><br\/>\nThe Sixteen; Britten Sinfonia\/Harry Christophers<br\/>Coro COR 16150<\/em><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/sixteen-sing-macmillans-stabat-mater\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/James-MacMillan-Christophers-Sinfonia-COR16150\/dp\/B01N4NQMCT\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.hive.co.uk\/Product\/James-MacMillan-Stabat-Mater\/20800744"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Hive<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/music\/audio-cd\/britten-sinfonia-james-macmillan-stabat-mater-harry-christophers-the-sixteen-bri\/0828021615023"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from World of Books<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.europadisc.co.uk\/classical\/130741\/MacMillan_-_Stabat_mater.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from EuropaDisc<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8270080--macmillan-stabat-mater"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""How\" great=\"\" thou=\"\" art=\"\" mormon=\"\" tabernacle=\"\" choir=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/j1hVY7bmqsA?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nChoirs come in all shapes and sizes, and at around 360-strong The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is one of the largest. It is also one of the most famous. Formerly known as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, it was founded in Salt Lake City in 1847 and has become a cornerstone of US choral tradition, performing at several US presidential inaugurations including those of Richard Nixon, Ronald Reagan and the present incumbent.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8033359--bryn-terfel-homeward-bound"\">Bryn Terfel: Homeward Bound<\/b><\/a><\/p>\nBryn Terfel (bass-baritone), The Mormon Tabernacle Choir<br\/>DG 4791073<\/em><\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Homeward-Terfel-Mormon-Tabernacle-2013-09-12\/dp\/B01K8KX2F6\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy from Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.hive.co.uk\/Product\/Bryn-Terfel-Homeward-Bound\/15202867"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Hive<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.sheetmusicplus.com\/title\/homeward-bound-sheet-music\/20304699"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Sheet Music Plus<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.worldofbooks.com\/en-gb\/music\/audio-cd\/bryn-terfel-the-mormon-tabernacle-choir-homeward-bound\/0028947910732"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from World of Books<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.hive.co.uk\/Product\/Bryn-Terfel-Homeward-Bound\/15202867"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from OnBuy<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8033359--bryn-terfel-homeward-bound"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"_Homeward_Bound.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from EuropaDisc<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.whsmith.co.uk\/products\/bryn-terfel-homeward-bound\/0028947910732.html"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from WH Smith<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.base.com\/Music\/Bryn-Terfel-Homeward-Bound-Music-CD\/4791073\/product.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Base.com<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>Tallis Scholars<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""The\" tallis=\"\" scholars=\"\" obrecht.=\"\" missa=\"\" de=\"\" sancto=\"\" donatiano=\"\" brugge=\"\" mafestival=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ri61VQNI3_M?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nWhile future prime minister Tony Blair was honing his talents in a rock band called the Ugly Rumours in the early 1970s, Peter Phillips, his fellow undergraduate at St John\u2019s College, Oxford, had his sights set on music of a much earlier era. In 1973, Phillips founded the Tallis Scholars which, as the name suggests, focused on studying and performing Renaissance repertoire. Nearly 50 years and countless best-selling discs later, Phillips and his singers are still setting the benchmark.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a class=\""standard-card-new__article-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/artists\/six-best-tallis-scholars-numbers\/"\">Six of the best \u2013\u00a0the Tallis Scholars in numbers<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>Recommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/josquin-missa-hercules-dux-ferrarie-etc\/"\">Josquin: Masses<\/strong><\/a><br\/>\nThe Tallis Scholars\/Peter Phillips<br\/>Gimell CDGIM051<\/em><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/josquin-missa-hercules-dux-ferrarie-etc\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Briggs-Mass-Notre-Dame-Thine\/dp\/B003IEAMG2\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8829270--josquin-masses"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.europadisc.co.uk\/classical\/87929\/Briggs_-_Mass_for_Notre_Dame_&_other_works.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on EuropaDisc<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>Read our <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/tag\/tallis-scholars-reviews\/"\">reviews of the latest Tallis Scholars recordings<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<h3>Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""The\" heavens=\"\" flock=\"\" es=\"\" usa=\"\" tour=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/a1wiBN4vYtk?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nOxbridge college choirs featuring boy trebles on the top line \u2013 notably King\u2019s and St John\u2019s in Cambridge and New College, Magdalen and Christ Church in Oxford \u2013 have long enjoyed a lofty reputation. In recent years, however, those comprised entirely of students, with female<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/what-soprano\/"\"> sopranos<\/a><\/strong> (and altos), have started to share the limelight. Arguably the pick of these is Trinity, Cambridge, not least since Stephen Layton took the reins as director of music in 2006, bringing an immaculate choral blend to repertoire ranging from <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/composers\/george-frideric-handel\/"\">Handel<\/a><\/strong> to Howells.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/david-briggs-mass-notre-dame\/"\">David Briggs: Mass for Notre Dame<\/b><\/a><br\/>\nChoir of Trinity College, Cambridge\/Stephen Layton; David Briggs (organ)<br\/>Hyperion CDA 67808<\/em><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/david-briggs-mass-notre-dame\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Briggs-Mass-Notre-Dame-Thine\/dp\/B003IEAMG2\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/7986448--david-briggs-mass-for-notre-dame"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.europadisc.co.uk\/classical\/87929\/Briggs_-_Mass_for_Notre_Dame_&_other_works.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from EuropaDisc<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><h3>Vox Luminis<\/h3>\n<iframe title=\""Songs\" by=\"\" two=\"\" scarlatti=\"\" vox=\"\" luminis=\"\" led=\"\" lionel=\"\" meunier=\"\" early=\"\" music=\"\" festival=\"\" live=\"\" hd=\"\" width=\""200"\" height=\""113"\" src=\""https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/QXJpaJ7RhN4?feature=oembed"\" frameborder=\""0"\" allow=\""accelerometer;\" autoplay=\"\" clipboard-write=\"\" encrypted-media=\"\" gyroscope=\"\" picture-in-picture=\"\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\/>\nComparative newcomers compared to the Tallis Scholars and The Sixteen in the early music scene, Vox Luminis was founded by Lionel Meunier in the Belgian town of Namur in 2004.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a class=\""standard-card-new__article-title"\" href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/features\/articles\/worlds-best-orchestras\/"\">The world\u2019s top ten orchestras<\/a><\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>Their immaculately observed performances of 16th-, 17th- and early-18th-century soon got them noticed, however, and plaudits aplenty, international engagements and major awards have since followed.<\/p>\nRecommended recording:<\/strong><\/p>\n<a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/buxtehude-abendmusiken\/"\">Buxtehude: Abendmusiken<\/a><br\/><\/b>Cantatas BuxWV 10, 34, 41, 60 & 62; Sonatas BuxWV 255 & 261<br\/>\nVox Luminis; Ensemble Masques\/Lionel Meunier<br\/>AlphaClassics ALPHA287 85:17 mins<\/i><br\/><\/b><\/p>\nRead our review <a href=\""https:\/\/www.classical-music.com\/reviews\/choral-song\/buxtehude-abendmusiken\/"\">here<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<ul><li><a href=\"\/\/www.amazon.co.uk\/Buxtehude-Luminis-Meunier-Ensemble-Masques\/dp\/B07CPJYR2H\/?tag=classicalm05c-21&ascsubtag=classicalmusic-0"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""sponsored" noopener noreferrer\">Buy on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.hive.co.uk\/Product\/Buxtehude-Abendmusiken\/22521081"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Hive<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.sheetmusicplus.com\/title\/buxtehude-abendmusiken-sheet-music\/21709575"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Sheet Music Plus<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.prestomusic.com\/classical\/products\/8438797--buxtehude-abendmusiken"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy on Presto Classical<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/\/www.europadisc.co.uk\/classical\/137549\/Buxtehude_-_Abendmusiken.htm"\" target=\""_blank"\" rel=\""nofollow noopener noreferrer\" noopener=\"\" noreferrer=\"\">Buy from Europadisc<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\u00a0<\/p>\n\u00a0<\/p><\/body><\/html>\n<hr class=\"no-tts wp-block-separator\"\/>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"By Jeremy Pound Published: Tuesday, 09 November 2021 at 12:00 am We put this list of the world\u2019s greatest choirs together and then immediately questioned whether we\u2019d been too Britain-centric, because of the sheer number of UK choirs we\u2019d picked out. Having looked at a few more of these kinds of lists from around the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":7233,"template":"","categories":[1,17],"acf":{"readingTimeMinutes":"6"},"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world.jpg",460,307,false],"thumbnail":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world-150x150.jpg",150,150,true],"medium":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world-300x200.jpg",300,200,true],"medium_large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world.jpg",460,307,false],"large":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world.jpg",460,307,false],"1536x1536":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world.jpg",460,307,false],"2048x2048":["https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/uploads\/sites\/37\/2021\/11\/10-best-choirs-in-the-world.jpg",460,307,false]},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"importmanagerhub@sprylab.com","author_link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/author\/importmanagerhubsprylab-com\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"By Jeremy Pound Published: Tuesday, 09 November 2021 at 12:00 am We put this list of the world\u2019s greatest choirs together and then immediately questioned whether we\u2019d been too Britain-centric, because of the sheer number of UK choirs we\u2019d picked out. Having looked at a few more of these kinds of lists from around the…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed\/7232"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/rss_feed"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/rss_feed"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7233"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7232"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcmusicmagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7232"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}