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a subtle and sensitive recreation of devotional music, meticulously researched, and convincingly performed. Canty are an ensemble whose voices maintain individual characteristics, while integrating into a seamlessly unified whole. Their discipline and their ravishing vocal quality make this recording a welcome moment of calm and devotion in an agitated time.

” —Sophie Brumfitt

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The four singers give outstanding performances… their voices are quite different in timbre but they blend perfectly… William Taylor’s improvisations are stylish and never obtrusive and are a delightful addition. The reverberation of the church is just right. The booklet contains extended programme notes and all the lyrics with an English translation. A spellbinding recording… for lovers of liturgical music this is a disc not to be missed.

” —Johan van Veen

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Canty is Scotland’s only professional medieval music group and was formed by Rebecca Tavener in 1998, the 900th anniversary of the birth of Hildegard of Bingen. The group comprises the regular female singers with Cappella Nova, Scotland’s leading early music vocal ensemble. Together with regular collaborator, harpist William Taylor, they explore a unique repertoire combining […]

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The singing is clear, crisp and very communicative. Each singer is clearly traveling in the same direction, on the same journey, as the others are – and as is William Taylor, the harpist. There is a clear and well maintained sense of purpose in the articulation of each of the texts. The style is relaxed. The unison singing very beautiful. The recording made with an appropriate amount of intimacy and delicacy without ever breathing at the listener. The singers of Canty convey a humility and reverence which aptly fits the gentle and assured nature of the music. This CD is a valid and well-executed collection of spare yet tuneful, melodically inventive and sophisticated music that is sure to please all lovers of early choral music. The CD comes with an attractively-produced booklet with texts in both Latin and English and a useful introductory essay. Recommended both for the rarity of repertoire and completely successful execution.

” —Mark Sealey

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Canty are a four-strong all-female group who have, with some justification, been compared with Anonymous Four. Their first CD, of music by Hildegard of Bingen and from medieval Scotland, was released on the Dorian label; two more recordings of medieval Irish and Scottish music followed on the ASV Gaudeamus label. Felix femina (CDGAU360) approximates the […]

” —Brian Wilson

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A special disc… we are treated to a loaded program – 38 tracks of music that is probably not heard too often in its liturgical context. The sound is clear and concise, nicely warmed by the light resonance surrounding the singers. This is an affectionate tribute well worth the time, especially for chant lovers. – Steven Ritter

” —Steven Ritter

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This is an out of the way set that rewards the listener looking for a real and deep listening experience with music that is genuinely from another time and place.

” —Chris Spector