Stile Antico, literally, "ancient style," is a descriptive musical term denoting a type of musical composition used from the sixteenth century and beyond. The compositional style is historically conscious, as opposed to "stile modern," which follows more modern trends. In the case of the British vocal ensemble of the same name, it also reflects the group's approach to performance. Like the Tallis Scholars and the Sixteen, Stile Antico’s origins are in the choral tradition of the Oxford and Cambridge colleges.
The group follows up on the successful debut recording of the trilogy "The Golden Renaissance," The Golden Renaissance: Josquin des Prez (Decca, 2021). The production program emphasizes English Renaissance composer William Byrd's late compositions, composed for the clandestine Catholic services of the composer's patron. These autumnal pieces include Byrd's Mass for Four Voices (the first of the composer's three mass settings) as well as a number of sacred pieces sung in both English and Latin. The disc programming concludes with Byrd's mighty Tribue, Domine for six voices. Stile Antico's performance is singular, captured at an intermediate distance with little reverb or echo. Warm, but sharp, the ensemble's singing is sumptuous and full making this 400th anniversary of the composer's death a sweet homage.
Stile Antico was founded in 2001 and is based in London, where it enjoys a close association with Wigmore Hall. The ensemble has 12 singers - six women and six men - broken into three each of sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. The group has no conductor, preferring to perform as chamber musicians, an approach well-received in the literature.
Performance comparison: The Hilliard Ensemble, Byrd: Masses, Lamentations & Motets (Warner Classics, 1984).