we are treated to an amazing kaleidoscope of singing styles and choral effects...this world premiere recording provides an outstanding contribution in the anniversary year of Gesualdo's death.

Harmonic surprise and conventional-if-idiosyncratic counterpoint tend to be knitted seamlessly together in a mature idiom that confirms Gesualdo’s stature as a leading composer of the period.

The Vocalconsort Berlin do [Gesualdo] proud, treating some pieces chorally and others with soloists; like the motets themselves, their interpretation stays within certain confines, which allows them to negotiate all but the most demanding situations with confidence.

the VocalConsort Berlin have also made a conscious decision to take to heart the advice in Wood’s notes – he warns against letting the sensationalised view of Gesualdo colour one’s interpretation of his music. Thus, rather than over-acting at the moments of dramatic harmonic intensity (and there are many!), they adopt a “less-is-more” attitude that focuses on the bigger picture.

this recording of the complete second book with the superb Vocalconsort Berlin, who ensure that not a single detail of the music is overlooked, demonstrates how convincing it is...It's all beautifully rendered, and creates the perfect showcase for what is by any standards some of the most astonishing music of the late Renaissance, which no one has been able to hear for 400 years.