A Spanish Nativity

The Spanish 'Golden Age' witnessed an astonishing musical flowering, worthy of Spain's new-found preeminence on the world stage. Focusing on works for Christmas and Epiphany, Stile Antico explores this glittering musical treasury, drawing together an irresistible mix of sumptuous polyphony and infectiously joyful folk dances. The centrepiece of the disc is the superbly rich and luminous Missa Beata Dei genitrix Maria by Alonso Lobo. Interspersed between its movements are motets by Victoria, Guerrero and Morales, an exuberant ensalada by Flecha, and classic villancicos - Spain's answer to the traditional carol.