The marvelously varied repertoire of Voces Cantabiles Music's 6-man, 2 woman a cappella ensemble Voces8 is highlighted on this collection of tunes that have been wowing audiences and judges across Europe, making the group one of the most highly sought after vocal ensembles around. The group's links to Westminster Abbey are clear in the first two cuts, 'O Clap Your Hands,' a polyphonic work by former organist Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), and Richard Dering's (1580-1630) Italian canzona 'Factum est Silentium.' William Byrd's 'Haec Dies' continues the Italianate theme, and returning to Westminster Abbey we hear from another former organist, Henry Purcell (1659-1695), his 8-part 'Hear My Prayer, O Lord.' Other fine classical works follow, among them 'Gaude Virgo, Mater Christi' by Josquin de Prez, Claudio Monteverdi's 'Cantate Domino,' Josef Rheinberger's 'Abenlied' and Robert Pearsall's 'Lay a Garland.' Two spirituals, the plaintive 'Steal Away' and 'Didn't my Lord Deliver Daniel,' Louis Armstrong's jazz recording of 'Mack the Knife' hears the ensemble imitate an 8-part big band, 'Maria' from 'West Side Story' and 'Who Will Buy' from the musical 'Oliver' follow. The final cut returns to an Armstrong recording of Gershwin's 1930s classic, 'I Got Rhythm.' A wonderful, stunning collection, and another winner for Voces8!

Listen to Cantata Domino in RealAudio.