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Even during a pandemic, the holidays are a time to celebrate. And for Musica Spei, the Rochester-area chamber choir specializing in medieval and Renaissance music, celebrating the season also means commemorating its 25th anniversary as an ensemble with a new CD.
With “Today Is Born,” the conductor-less vocal ensemble presents 14 different Yuletide compositions, previously recorded live during performances at St. Anne Church. And while these Christmas songs are sung exclusively in Latin, it’s not hard to identify “O Come, o come Emmanuel,” sung here as a plainchant.
For a choir with only 16 singers, Musica Spei produces a satisfyingly full sound, without the acoustic muddiness that can sometimes accompany performances by larger choruses. And because of the reduced numbers, a lack of unity would be easier to hear.