Growing up in the rarified collegiate church music atmosphere at Oxford or Cambridge, the all male sextet The King's Singers, who would go on to re-define a cappella choral perfection, made their debut in London in 1968. In 1970 the acclaimed Viennese-born composer Joseph Horovitz wrote "Captain Noah and His Floating Zoo, a vocal work in 10 parts for chorus and lead singer, piano, bass and drums. Similarly, British arranger/composer Chris Hazell wrote the music and lyrics for "Holy Moses," an accompanied jazz-pop cantata, in 1971, telling the story of Moses leading the Israelites out of Egypt. The King's Singers were invited to make the first recordings of these two new works in 1972, which were issued on either side of an lp issued by Decca/Argo. The group's ability to adapt their vocal approach to new rhythmic frameworks is clear here, and they prove to be the perfect choice to record this spirited, whimsical material. Listen to "The People of Fun City," "It Looks Like Rain," "Forty Days and Nights," "Oh What A Wonderful Scene," "The Bull Rush Song," "The Promise," "The Chase" and "Freedom," all new to us, to see how listeners of all ages continue to love this recording. And we see a whole new facet to one of our all-time choral group favorites, the King's Singers!

World-renowned a cappella group The King's Singers follow their recent Great American Songbook album with the Christmas equivalent, on a disc that pays homage to the group's roots whilst acknowledging their current passion for swing. Traditional favourites such as ", "In the bleak midwinter," and the beautiful Austrian carol "Still, Still, Still," jockey for position amongst modern-day classics like "Winter Wonderland," "Frosty the Snowman" and "Sleigh Ride." All are presented in new arrangements by some of the group's favourite arrangers: Berty Rice, Keith Roberts and Alexander L'Estrange.

Songlist: Santa Claus is Coming to Town (Arr. Alexander L'Estrange), In the Bleak Midwinter (Arr. Alexander L'Estrange), It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas, Still, Still, Still, Carol of the Bells, It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, Frosty vs Rudolph, the Re-Boot, White Christmas, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, The First Nowell, Sleigh Ride, The Little Boy That Santa Claus Forgot, Silent Night, Winter Wonderland, Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, We Wish You a Merry Christmas

Thomas Tallis (1505-1585) was the most influential English composer in his day. He lived at Court from 1543 until his death. He survived the coming into dominance of Protestantism during Edward VI's reign, the restoration of Catholicism under Mary in 1553 and the tumultous tussle leading to the Elizabethan Settlement which devised a new church establishment then dominant for nearly a hundred years. Throughout these changes Tallis continued to write choral liturgical music in both the older Latin motet style and the newer English anthem style. His greatest student was William Byrd (1543-1623) who pushed the authorities with his staunch Catholicism but was such a brilliant composer that he never received more than a heavy fine. Elizabeth awarded them the exclusive rights to publish music in her realm, effectively creating a monopoly. The King's Singers bring us a sampling of the huge output from these two most influential composers, including both motets and anthems. These are performed for the joy of those who love renaissance music, with the musical perfection expected of the best.

Songlist: Haec Dies, Te Lucis Ante Terminum, Beata Viscera Mariae Virginis, Ave Verum Corpus, Vigilate, Viri Galilaei, Te Lucis Ante Terminum, Lamentations Of Jeremiah, First Set, Lamentations Of Jeremiah, Second Set, If Ye Love Me, O Lord, Make Thy Servant Elizabeth, Our Queen, Sing Joyfully, Laudibus In Sanctis

Singing together binds us together. From the Protestant Reformation in Europe during the 1500s to the U.S. Civil Rights Movement, there have been countless moments in history when songs have united nations, cultures and causes. This is still the case in today's world. Finding Harmony is evidence that music has always been our common language. A unique collection of pieces that span the globe - including music that's too often forgotten - each song is the key to a powerful true story about who we are and how we've got here. Together, Finding Harmony proves how deeply we can be moved by all kinds of stories when songs connect us to them, and to each other.

Songlist: One Day, If I Can Help Somebody, S'dremlen Feygl, Tsintskaro, Bread and Roses, Heliseb Valjadel, Mu Isamaa on Minu Arm, Cielito Lindo, A Mighty Fortress, Ne Irascaris, Domine: Civitas Sancti Tui, Praying, Puirt a Beul, Mi Na M˜rbheanna, Shen Khar Venakhi, Ayihlome - Qula Kwedini, Nkosi Sikelel' Iafrika (God Bless Africa), One Last Time, Strange Fruit, This Little Light of Mine

An eclectic mix of five modern songs on an EP. "My heart is a holy place" - Patricia Van Ness has rearranged and extended the beautiful 'Cor meum est templum sacrum' for The King's Singers to become 'My heart is a holy place'. "Conceit" - A haunting piece written for The King's Singers in 2009 by Graham Lack with text by writer/poet Mervyn Peake, in which things may not always be as they first appear. "Pie Jesu" - British classical radio presenter and former rock guitarist, John Brunning, wrote a simple setting of 'Pie Jesu' three years ago, and it became an instant hit in the UK. "Out of the Woods" - Bluegrass band Nickel Creek's song. 'Out of the Woods' has great harmonies, a wonderful folksy melody and a mesmeric improvisation section. Arranged by Philip Lawson. "Hallelujah" - One of a huge number of hit songs from the Canadian singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen, arranged here by Philip Lawson.

Songlist: My Heart Is A Holy Place, Conceit, Pie Jesu, Out of the Woods, Hallelujah

The arranging of the King's Singers is applied to a wide variety of music from the world of pop and rock. Shocking! It's fabulous. The Beach Boys, "Good Vibrations" is a natural for a group whose capacity to harmonize puts to shame almost anyone who hasn't also shared a lifetime of musical study, practice and performance, as have the King's Singers. There's vocal percussion, acrobatics worthy of the most avant garde practitioners of extended voice techniques, perfected trills and runs that only endless training achieves; and the harmonies, aah such harmonies. Perhaps one reason for this is the counter-tenor voice at the high register rather than needing to rely on the falsetto. It creates a harmonic purity to the chords that is sweeter. Then, of course you have to listen to the "kazoo" chorus and all the rest of the sound effects in Freddie Mercury's "Seaside Rendezvous to realize that these singers can do it all! Be sure to catch Ray Stevens "Freddie Feel-Good" for a fabulous vocal jazz band. Take that, rock 'n rollers, you'll love it!

The first new Christmas CD from the King's Singers since their popular 2004 release "Christmas", this new disc sets an eclectic assortment of modern Christmas classics with special arrangements of some much loved favourites. "Precise intonation, instinctive articulation, a downy, luxuriant tone, all captured in an excitingly lifelike recording" - International Record Review. "The King's Singers' style is beautifully detailed, and even the most familiar carols sound fresh." - Classic FM Magazine

Songlist: Rise up, shepherd, and follow, Gabriel's message, Noel nouvelet, What child is this?, The crown of roses, O little one sweet, Lullay my liking, Stille Nacht, The quiet heart, There is a flower, Joy to the world, Serenade d'hiver, The twelve days of Christmas, Gaudete, God rest you merry gentlemen, The little drummer boy, Jingle bells, Deck the hall with boughs of holly

The King Singer's and Dame Judi Dench tell the tales we all know and love. Embrace the charm of this rare treat made for children of all ages! The Teddy Bear's Picnic and Humpty Dumpty sitting on a wall, The merry soul, Old King Cole and Duke of York, the Grandest of them all. This old man, a dog and a bone. "Over the Hills and Far Away" for days and days alone. Walking on air or submerged in a "Yellow Submarine", or with an owl and a pussycat on a ship of pea green. Boys and girls and blackbirds four and twenty, they all diddle diddle in lavender blue fields of plenty. Wendell, the sunburned worm, an old woman's fate with a fly, the frog he went a-courtin while we all stand together, together you and I.

Songlist: Teddy Bear's Picnicon, Humpty Dumpty - Old King Cole - The Grand Old Duke Of York, This Old Man, Over The Hills And Far Away, King John's Christmas, The Riddle Song, Walking In The Air, Yellow Submarine, The Owl And The Pussycat, Here We Go Down The Line, Lavender's Blue, Wendell The Worm, I Know an Old Woman, Frog Went a-Courtin' - We All Stand Together

Started in 1968 by six Choral Scholars from King's College in Cambridge, the group quickly became a musical force in the UK, and the rest of the world soon followed. Since then they have been delighting audiences with incomparable musicianship, from mediaeval to renaissance, romantic to contemporary, folk and pop. The Singers looked into the music that most touched them to hear and sing in their own childhoods, and "Christmas" is the result-the quintessential classical Christmas CD. 25 perfectly performed songs, some favorites: the traditional Veni, veni Emmanuel" and "This is the truth sent from above," Praetorius' "Es ist ein Ros' entsprungen," Bo Holten's "Nowell sing we now," Phillip Lawson's "Lullay my liking," Tchaikovsky' "The Crown of Roses," John Rutter's "There is a flower," Ramirez' "La Peregrinacion," and Gruber's "Stille Nacht." Extensive, multilingual liner notes with all lyrics. Incomparable, trademark King's Singers and soaring vocals throughout.

Songlist: Veni, veni Emmanuel, Angelus ad Virginem, This is the truth sent from above, Wie schon leuchtet der Morgenstern, Es ist ein Ros' ensprungen, There is no rose, Coventry Carol, Nowell sing we now, Remember, O thou man, In dulci jubilo, Lullay my liking, Bogoroditsye Dyevo, The Lamb, Maria durch ein Dornwald ging, O little one sweet, Bethlehem Down, The Crown of Roses, To us in Bethlem City, Szezo to za prediwo, There Is a Flower, La Peregrinacion, Away in a manger, Noel nouvelet, Stille Nacht, Born on a New Day

The King's Singers present a disc of some of their best and most requested repertoire. We are all shaped, perhaps unconsciously, by the landscape and time in which we live. This evocative and spiritual programme, which contains five King's Singers commissions, explores the links between human life and it's surroundings through the different personal languages of poets and composers. Music from the Orkneys to the American desert, from Finland, Estonia and England to Hungary and Japan makes this one of the King's Singers finest recordings in years.

Songlist: The Seasons of His Mercies, Scenes in America Deserta, Taaveti laulud, Taaveti laul, Onnis on inimene, Taaveti laul 141, Taaveti laul 121, Remembered Love, House of Winter, Rakastava, Esti Dal, Even Such is Time

It's no surprise that The King's Singers have recorded a huge number of love songs on all kinds of albums over the last fifty years. Some of these were albums devoted to love songs like Chanson d'amour and Romance du soir. Other albums couldn't help but include music about love, although their theme was actually different. This album, Love Songs, is a chance to revisit some of the ensemble's favorite tracks that they've recorded over the last two decades, compiled from across their back catalogue with Signum Records. The tracks they've chosen have come from five different albums, released between 2008 and 2017. Rather than trying to take in any of the enormous number of classical love songs from the back catalogue, the group wanted to focus on some of the best folk songs, jazz standards, and pop songs that have featured in King's Singers concerts throughout their history. This selection has been curated especially to celebrate the group's favorite recent albums, and to show how rich and varied the tapestry of love songs we have today is.

Songlist: When She Loved Me, All of Me, I've Got the World on a String, Tuoll on Mun Kultani, Don't Worry About Me, April Come She Will, Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered, Arrirang, Quand Tu Dors PRéS de Moi, Beyond the Sea, Love Is Here to Stay, I Love My Love, O My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose, I Won't Dance, Helplessly Hoping, At Last, Some Folks' Lives Roll Easy, When I Fall in Love

Leading off with the title track, which is been heard recently all over public television, the King's Singers demonstrate their usual facility with any sort of arrangement or style. "New Day" is a simple tune, essentially contemporary folk in style, with an uncomplicated arrangement that gives the blend of the voices preeminence. "Noveau Poor" is tongue-in-cheek wit at its most profligate ("we're in Burke's Peerage, we're in "Who's Who," we're in the red, and in penury too." ). "What's In A Tune" tosses a salad comprised of various classical melodies, sung a cappella and fully orchestrated-all vocally, of course. "Can't Buy Me Love" is arranged as a sixteenth century madrigal.

Songlist: You Are the New Day, Nouveau Poor, Three Times a Lady, What's in a Tune?, You'd Have to Be a Rosie, Can't Buy Me Love, Singapore Girl, The Rhythm of Life, The Gambler, It Was Almost Like a Song, Here Comes The Sun, Hush, Little Baby, Don't Say A Word, Money, Money, Money / Summer Nights, The Summer Knows, Could it Be Magic

The prototype for what has developed into a twenty-five year career that continues to grow in popularity, this initial 1971 recording hints at the dominion the King's Singers have over an astonishing variety of material. Four tracks are a cappella, the rest accompanied by the Gordon Langford Trio (Langford also arranged five of the songs). Traditionals, such as "Shenandoah, "Cherry Ripe" and "Scarborough Fair" are side-by-side with Gershwin's "Summertime" and Bacharach's "Wives and Lovers." Stylistically, the King's Singers combine formal classical knowledge with the immaculate blend of a barbershop chorus and the personality of English music hall performers appearing on the "Old Grey Whistle Test." No wonder they've stood the test of time!

Songlist: The Peanut Vendor, Shenandoah, Cherry Ripe, Summertime, Time Was, Scarborough Fair, None But The Lonely Heart, Linstead Market, The Oak And The Ash, Wives And Lovers, Blow Away The Morning Dew, The Green Leaves Of Summer, What Kind Of Things

The music contained in this CD represents a selection of Vespers movements written by Johann Pachelbel. The King's Singers are truly remarkable. They continue to be one of the most sought-after and critically acclaimed vocal ensembles in the world, performing a rich and varied repertoire from Gesualdo to Gyorgy Ligeti and Michael Buble. Internationally recognized for their work in the classical field, they retain the sparkle that delights so many fans when they perform much loved numbers from the lighter end of the repertoire. Whatever the music The King's Singers are instantly recognisable for their spot-on intonation, their impeccable vocal blend, the flawless articulation of the text and incisive timing. 'Charivari Agreable is one of the most versatile Early Music groups around at the moment; under its benign director, Kah-Ming Ng, it appears to be infinitely adaptable, finding musicians who can fit into any of its many and varied programmes' (International Record Review). They represent 'a new and very exciting phase of the early music revival, one that enriches the existing repertory and can bring us ever closer to the spirit of the original music' (Gramophone).

Songlist: Ingressus in C minor, Magnificat in C major, Sonata a 5 in A minor, Ingressus in E minor, Ingressus in G major, Ingressus in G minor, Sonata a 5 in G minor, Magnificat in F major, Ingressus in B-flat major

The King's Singers explore the folk songs and melodies of the world in a new program entitled Postcards. "In our travels we have amassed a wonderful collection of folk songs and popular songs from numerous countries, many of which we use as encores when we visit," said KS, "The influences and sources are extraordinarily far-ranging, and each song has its own local characteristics. To celebrate the diversity of music that we perform and the numerous countries we visit each concert season, we have recorded an album of some of our favorite folk songs from around the world."

Songlist: Feller from Fortune, Tico Tico no Fuba, Es dunkelt schon in der Heide, Star of the County Down, O My Love Is Like A Red, Red Rose, Jeg gik mig ud en sommerdag, Vito, Contigo Aprendi, Zai no yao yuan de di fang, Suo-Gan, Egoli, Baylere, Little David, Play On Your Harp, Esti Dal, Mein kleiner gruner Kaktus, Arrirang, Pokarekare Ana, Oak and the Ash, Nel blu dipinto di blu (Volare), Tuoll on mun kultani, Botany Bay, Pasional

Combining perennial favorites with wonderful new discoveries, these immediately appealing pieces reflect the much-loved repertoire at the heart of a King's Singers program with the skill and flair that distinguishes the group as one of the world's most popular a cappella ensembles. Includes works by Elgar, Schumann, Schubert and Saint-Saens, as well as a new piece by popular American composer Libby Larsen. This latest venture between Signum Classics and The King's Singers follows hot on the heels of a Live DVD and CD release of their 2008 performance for the BBC Proms in the Royal Albert hall and the 2008 Grammy-nominated album Simple Gifts.

Songlist: Calmes des Nuits, Music, When Soft Voices Die, O Happy Eyes, Liebe, Love, Draw On Sweet Noght, Waldesnacht, Toutes les Nuitz, Serenade d'Hiver, Ach Elslein, Ritornelle, Weep,Weep, Mine Eyes, Traumlicht, A Lover's Journey, Romance du Soir, The Long Day

On a new disc to celebrate the 2012 Diamond Jubilee, The King's Singers present a selection of works from the past 500 years written in honor of the great monarchs of Britain. Starting with works for Henry VIII, the program covers the Elizabethan "Triumphs of Oriana" by composers such as Gibbons, Mundy and Dowland; a very Victorian selection of dedicatory works by Elgar, Parry and Parratt; choral arrangements from the opera Glorianna by Benjamin Britten; a new piece by Paul Drayton that comically pens "A Rough GUitde to the Royal Succession."

Songlist: Pasttime with good companie, Ah, Robin, gentle Robin, Blow thy horn, hunter, It is to me a right great joy, Hey, trolly lolly lo!, Long live fair Oriana, The Silver Swan, Fair Oriana, beauty's queen, Lightly she whipped 'er the dales, Flow, O my tears, Weep, O mine eyes, As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending, The Triumph of Victoria, Who can dwell with greatness?, To her beneath whose steadfast star, Choral Dances from Gloriana, Time, Concord, Time and Concord, Country Girl, Rustics and Fishermen, Final Dance of Homage, Paul Drayton

You are about to hear some of the most demanding music which a choral group can sing. Henryk Mikolaj Gsrecki's "Totus tuus" (trans. "Yours Completely) was composed for eight voice choir in honor of the third visit of Pope John Paul II to his native Poland. It was adapted for the six voices of the King's Singers who were awarded a CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award) in 1997 for Best Classical Song. It is...the best, we mean. But how about the second song of the recording? Velijo Tormis' composition, "Piispa ja pakana" (The Bishop and the Pagan), was drawn from both musical documents and folklore. It tells the story of the death of a British missionary/warrior at the hands of a Finnish peasant farmer. The viewpoints of both sides have descended since that event in 1158. "The Sequence of St. Henry" is a Latin Gregorian Chant which documents the British side and numerous folk songs represent the view of the Finnish farmer. Both have provided elements in the creation of this piece. Drat, we haven't time to describe the other ten pieces, but suffice it to say it is probably the most demanding music you will ever hear.

Songlist: Totus Tuus, Piispa Ja Pakana, Pater Noster, Ave Maria, Wymondham Chants, Wymondham Chants, Wymondham Chants, Wymondham Chants, Funeral Ikos, The Lamb, Sermons And Devotions, Sermons And Devotions, Sermons And Devotions, Sermons And Devotions, Sermons And Devotions

"Simple Gifts" is a very rare and special gift to us, as it represents the first full a cappella studio album by the legendary King's Singers in 10 years. Arguably the most popular a cappella group of all time, whose flawless harmonies grace over 30 finely-crafted CDs and a slew of songbooks in the Primarily A Cappella online catalog, we will assume that you know how good these six British men really are. So let's talk about some of the 16 carefully-selected songs: Billy Joel's classic "She's Always A Woman," James Taylor's sublime "You Can Close Your Eyes," the traditional joyous round "The Gift to Be Simple," Stephen Stills' harmonic CSN&Y gem "Helplessly Hoping," some wonderfully-arranged spirituals, "Swing Low, Sweet Chariot," "Deep River," "The Water is Wide" and "Steal Away," all of which feature some sweet deep bass leads. Randy Newman's poignant "When She Loved Me," Sting's "Valparaiso," Paul Simon's "April Come She Will Come" these are some of our picks for the most beautiful songs of all time. They are arranged by group member Phillip Lawson, Bob Chilcott and Peter Knight, and then sung as beautifully as you can imagine by the King's Singers. The King's Singers incredible blend and tuning goes to ensure that this is probably their finest recording in a long time. Enough said!

Songlist: She's Always A Woman, You Can Close Your Eyes, Greensleeves, The Gift to be Simple, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot, Helplessly Hoping, Deep River, Black is the Color, I Love My Love, The Water is Wide, When She Loved Me, Valparaiso, The Turtle Dove, April Come She Will, Steal Away, You are the New Day

After years at the pinnacle of a cappella choral music, the King's Singers show no sign of slowing down, as their creativity and number of appearances throughout the world remain undimmed. In what has been described as their 3rd generation, "Six" is a tasty sampler spanning the life of the group since their founding in the explosive rock decade of the 1960s. The spiritual "Down In The River To Pray" appeared in the movie "O Brother, Where Art Thou?", arranged by Singer Phillip Lawson, who also arranged this sublime cover of Billy Joel's "Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)." Lennon/McCartney's "Blackbird" is one of the most-requested encores in the KS' live concert repertoire. "The Wishing Tree" by former Divine Comedy member Joby Talbot, was commissioned by the KS and the BBC. Irving Berlin's moody jazz classic "Blue Skies" is sung in a cool and reflective arrangement by Singer Richard Bennett. The final cut is a soaring, surreal arrangement of Neil Young's deathless, "After the Goldrush," which takes our breath away and leaves us wanting to hear much more. One forgets just how exceptional the King's Singers are, until one is able to see them live, or one settles back next to the stereo in a comfortable chair and lets the beauty of these "Six" wash over him like a subtle, perfect tide.

Songlist: Down to the River to Pray, Blackbird, The Wishing Tree, Lullabye, Blue Skies, After the Goldrush

There has never been a norm for the King's Singers as they have the widest repertoire in all of a cappella music. That being said, the group departs from the norm and apply their voices to popular musical settings burdened with synthesized arrangements. They open with a heavily produced version of "Lift the Wings" from Riverdance. They proceed with a series of tunes in which, although they are sometimes interesting instrumentally, the producers tend to obscure the vocals rather than accentuate them. That isn't the case on "She Moved Through the Fair" which is an interesting vocal arrangement with a muted trumpet in the background. There are two a cappella tracks. "Kokomo" is a new interpretation of the Beach Boy's classic and a great arrangement. The finale is a new interpretation of "The Lord's Prayer" in the style of the Beach Boys. Brian Wilson arranged it with Bob Chilcott, the King's Singers tenor. This is an odyssey into a radically different style of production.

After the 2009 Grammy Award-winning Simple Gifts and a world premiere recording of Pachelbel Vespers in March 2010, internationally-acclaimed vocal group The King's Singers return to the studio to record Swimming Over London. Featuring a diverse array of songs, this latest release captures jazz classics, current hits, and more, all arranged, performed, and recorded with the meticulous attention to detail and artistry that has established The King's Singers as one of the finest vocal ensembles throughout their history. Swimming Over London includes five original songs, commissioned specifically for the disc and written by Mia Makaroff, composer and arranger for Finnish vocal ensemble Rajaton; Ysaye M. Barnwell of Sweet Honey in the Rock; Roger Treece, arranger and performer in Bobby McFerrin's Voicestra ensemble; Alexander L'Estrange, composer and arranger for the Swingle Singers; and Bob Chilcott, a former King's Singer. Chilcott, a respected composer of vocal music, wrote the title track for the album, an evocative tale of a woman stretching her way over London to the coast based on a poem by Charles Bennett. Roger Treece, renowned arranger for groups including Manhattan Transfer and New York Voices, composed an original song ("Keeper of the Seasons") and arranged two contrasting songs: Sarah McLachlan's beautiful "Angel" and Pat Metheny's "September 15th."

Songlist: Swimming over London, I'm Yours, Angel, By the Time, September 15th / Keeper of the Seasons, It's a New World, Don't Let Go, Hide & Seek, Lazy Bones / Up a Lazy River, Andromeda, Recipe for Love, Silent Love, Straighten Up and Fly Right, Home

"Spem in alium," not just the greatest of Tallis's compositions but one of the greatest of all time, is based on a liturgical text, written for 40 independent voices, and was first performed in England in 1573. A work for 40 voices is not one that would usually be associate with the legendary all male sextet The King's Singers. Through modern recording technology, flexibility and experimentation, the six have become 40, a true harmonic convergence that occurs when the pairs high, sweet voices throw the sound across the space between them until finally all voices join for a full culmination of the work. "Spem" is a stunningly beautiful piece, although very short, eight minutes and 22 seconds to be precise, and we listened to it several times to truly appreciate it. The piece is followed by a 6-minute interview with the Singers, who discuss the experience of recording it. A short sublimely beautiful piece, recorded by one of the world's finest choral ensembles. SACD

Songlist: Spem in AliumThomas Tallis, Interview with the King's Singers

"For a group like ours the choice of repertoire for recording often seems bewilderingly large. So why did we choose Portugese, Spanish and Mexican music from the period known as the Siglo de Oro - the Golden Age? The idea came from our church concert programs, where acoustics, space and atmosphere allow great scope for drama. Beginning at the back of the church with Crux fidelis and slowly moving eastwards as the piece unfolds has proved to be a magical way to start. More than one audience member has told us that if the concert had ended after that one piece, they would have gone home happy. But that would have denied them the chance of hearing one of the most famous pieces from this era - Alonso Lobo's incredible version of Versa est in luctum, which often closes the first half of the concerts." - The King's Singers

Songlist: Crux fidelis, Kyrie (Mass Mille Regretz), Versa est in luctum, In ieiunio et fletu, Versa est in luctum, Lamentations, Versa est in luctum, Pia et dolorosa mater, Versa est in luctum, Libera me

On November 5, 1605, Guy Fawkes was caught preparing to detonate 36 barrels of gunpowder under the House of Lords, unveiling and act of attempted treason that shocked the whole of Europe.Commemorating the 400th anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot, the King's Singers and Concordia illuminate the dangers of hearing Mass in secret, of conspiracy and downfall, and the protestant relief and great joy. The music, structured around Byrd's perfect 4-part Mass, contains motets by catholic composers, protestant anthems celebrating the downfall of the plot, and a commission from the British composer, Francis Pott, Master Tresham: His Ducke. A script, drawing on historic texts and reproduced in the CD booklet, uses the dramatized persona of William Byrd, the most celebrated composer of his age, to recreate the atmosphere of change and hope in the Jacobean court.

Songlist: George Washington's Almand, Kyrie from Mass for 4 voices, A Fancie, Gloria from Mass for 4 voices, Ardens est cor meum, Civitas sancti tui, Ave Maria gratia plena, Credo from Mass for 4 voices, Sir Henry Umpton's Funeral, O Lord how joyful is the King, From Virgin's womb/Rejoice, rejoice, M. Bucton's Galliard, Sanctus/Benedictus from Mass for 4 voices, Master Tresham: His Ducke, Agnus Dei from Mass for 4 voices

The Triumphs of Oriana is an extravagant musical compliment paid to England's Elizabeth I by Thomas Morley, published in 1601. It consists of 25 madrigals by 23 different composers, each madrigal concluding with the refrain, "Then sang the shepherds and nymphs of Diana: Long live fair Oriana." Oriana was a character in a chivalric romance long equated with Elizabeth, and Diana, goddess of chastity, would certainly attend the Virgin Queen. However idealized their pastoral setting, many of the madrigals are excellent, those by Bennet, Weelkes, Cavendish and Morley are well known. As a whole they captured the musical imagination of the time and they continue to intrigue-for instance, who is the mysterious "Bonny-boots" who appears in two of the songs? The soaring tenor and falsetto voices of King's Singers, England's brilliant, prolific male sextet, were made to perform this difficult, eclectic collection. Picking favorites, beside the four previously mentioned, is not easy: Tomkins' "The fauns and satyrs tripping" is lovely, as is "With wreaths of rose and laurel" by Cobbold and "Fair nymphs I heard one telling" by Farmer. "Triumphs" is a choral joy, an ode to a beautiful fantasy from long ago-sung by six men whose voices and talent are fortunately very real. Extensive, interesting liner notes.

Songlist: Hence stars! too dim of light, With angel's face and brightness, Lightly she whipp o'er the dales, Long live fair Orianakings.html, All creatures now are merry-minded, Fair Oriana, beauty's queen, The nymphs and shepherds danced, Calm was the air and clear the sky, Thus Bonny-boots the birthday celebreated, Sing, shepherds all, and in your roundelays, The fauns and satyrs tripping, Come, gentle swains, With wreaths of rose and laurel, Arise, awake, awake, Fair nymphs I heard one telling, The lady Oriana, Hark! did ye ever hear so sweet a singing?, As Vesta was from Latmos hill descending, Fair Orian, in the morn, Round about her charret, Bright Phoebus greets most clearly, Fair Oriana, seeming to wink at folly, Fair Cytherea presents her doves, Hard by a crystal fountain, Come, blessed Byrd

This is a delightful CD for children (and eavesdropping adults), gathering together three "musical fables" that John Rutter wrote for Christmas concerts given by the King's Singers and the COL Sinfonia; "The Reluctant Dragon" and "The Wind in the Willows" based on Kenneth Grahame stories, adapted by David Grant. "Brother Heinrich's Christmas" was written for a Christmas TV special from Salisbury Cathedral, with Rutter writing the story as well as the music. This is like the sound track to a musical, with Richard Baker narrating "Dragon" and "Willows," and Brian Kay narrating "Brother," and Anthony Holt, for instance, playing St. George in "Dragon" and Toad in "Willows." The King'Singers and the Cambridge Singers give sweet and entertaining performances, and we can only say that we would have loved to have seen the concerts and the TV special!

Songlist: The Reluctant Dragon, Brother Heinrich's Christmas, The Wind In The Willow

The King's Singers celebrated their 40-year anniversary in 2008 with a live BBC Proms performance from the Royal Albert Hall. This disc demonstrates the skill, flair, versatility and on stage charm you would come to expect from a King's Singers performance, sampling the best from their vast repertoire. The King's Singers have maintained their place at the apex of a cappella singing and are amongst the world's elite classical performers. This disc also includes interviews with the members, a glimpse into the King's Singers' past, and a special audition for the group! Reviewing this concert, The Daily Telegraph said "every edge was bevelled smooth", and the Guardian described it as "flawlessly realized".

Songlist: La bell' si nous etions, La belle se sied au pied de la tour, Clic, clac, dansez sabots, Pilons l'orge, Ah! Mon beau laboureur, Les Tisserands, Scenes in America Deserta, Dessus le marche d'Arras, ll est bel et bon, Toutes les nuitz, La Guerre, Hears not my Phyllis, Phillis is my only joy, The Little Green Lane, The Goslings, Greensleeves, Blow Away the Morning Dew, The Turtle Dove, Widdicombe Fair, The Long Day Closes

Presented by James Galway and filmed at Harewood House, this 1987 program features eight mostly classical and traditional pieces, from "There's Nae Luck" to "The Flight Of The Bumblebee." One work, "Sea Rune," was comissioned for the group in 1986, and is a challenging polyphonic composition. "Bumble Bee" is an exciting and dramatic reading, and the video's closer, "Creole Love Call," (a piece that was featured in the repetoire of the legendary Comedian Harmonists), is a marvelous combination of musicianship and theatrics. The King's Singers "big band" rendition requires lip diddling, chin slapping and nose tweaking, all done with a fair bit of glee!

Songlist: O Lusty May, Woe Worth The Time, There's Nae Luck, O Waly Waly, Sea Runes, The Bee, The Flight Of The Bumblebee, Creole Love Call

Featuring long-standing founding members Simon Carrington and Alistair Hume, this entertaining yet informative production discusses the formation of the King's Singers and their history, group organization (democratic) and planning, as well as, of course, their music. Featuring the Gustavus Choir, the King's Singers take various pieces in their repetoire, including the Shaker hymn, "Gift To Be Simple," to analyze and demonstrate matters of technique. Blend, phrasing, dynamics and interpretation are considered and applied, showing the King's Singers remarkable attention to detail. The importance of listening, when singing within an ensemble, is emphasized. The King's Singers describe their own style as somewhere between the courtly and the sacred, and we couldn't agree more!