Greenwich Village-based choir Voices of Ascension, most famous for their 1994 release Beyond Chant, continue to explore the primordial sounds of Western music in 2002's From Chant to Renaissance.

With each of the 24 tracks clocking in at five minutes or under, the album moves quickly from one luxurious unaccompanied vocal work to the next. The production value of the recording is impeccable, with the voices sounding warm, and the location sounding like that of vaulted ceilings and reverberant stone walls.

The album begins with a single female voice soaring nimbly through Hildegard of Bingen's "O Virga ac Diadema." Beyond the much-admired Hildegard, other medieval and Renaissance heavy-hitting composers featured on this album include Palestrina, Desprez, Dufay, Tallis, Byrd and Weelkes. Though singing mostly in Latin (the reigning language for medieval and Renaissance sacred works), Voices of Ascension honor their mother tongue in tracks like Byrd's peppy "Rejoice, rejoice," and Weelke's powerful "Hosanna to the Son of David."

The tone of the album, springing from a musical language that is at once intelligible and foreign-sounding (much in the same way that old English appears to us today), lends itself to inspiration and excitement. Even the more laid-back tracks, such as the Agnus Dei from Missa cum jubilo, evince a mystery whose attraction surpasses low volume levels. Containing the roots of Western classical music, this album is a valuable asset in any classical collection. Nonetheless, the beauty and art of these vocal works recommend them to listeners of any persuasion.

Featured Tracks:
Hildegard of Bingen: O virga ac diadema
Gregorian Chant: Agnus Dei (from Missa 'cum jubilo