These two pieces are possibly La Rue's best, and two of my personal favorites. They present many of the most compelling facets of the later Netherlands school, and do so in global forms which are also stimulating. They have also been relatively well-represented on recording, and are certainly La Rue's best-known works (until recently, about his only recorded large-scale works, each multiple times; a curious example of ensembles only recording music others have already recorded).
Although there are seemingly things to dislike about this performance (use of organ, singing so fast), I have always found it appealing. The lines are very well-articulated and there is a great deal of energy. The basic sonority of the voices is also more appealing than in most issues. As time passes, this release takes on a classic stature.
Todd M. McComb