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VivaVoce is a mixed-voice ensemble of very polished singers. They produce a body of sound that seems larger than their 19 voices but is always clear and precise in all aspects of the singing. There is great power in the way voices build upon other voices—the opening of the Magnificat I is thrilling—but they also have great delicacy when needed. I came away thinking that these are singers who pay attention during rehearsals; compliments to director Peter Schubert for leading such solid performances.
Craig Zeichner, Early Music AmericaWinter 2007
Viva Voce is an excellent mixed choir. Their sound is perhaps an ideal balance between the clarity of certain English mixed groups (such as the Tallis Scholars), which can be somewhat antiseptic, the unique "pure" sound of English boys choirs, and the rather robust sound of some traditional mixed choirs (some of Robert Shaw's recordings) … This is a significant release and ideally demonstrates an aspect of De la Rue's genius not always evident in his more intellectual mass settings and motets. In contrast to many Naxos releases, this one includes text and translations.
American Record GuideJan–Feb 2008
Ce disque est exceptionnel pour deux raisons. D'abord, il nous offre le premier enregistrement complet des remarquables Magnificats de Pierre de La Rue (1460–1518). Deuxièmement, il nous donne la chance d'entendre Peter Schubert et son ensemble Viva Voce s'exprimer avec une splendeur qui ne peut que les inscrire dans la lignée des grands ensembles vocaux spécialisés en musique ancienne. Le style de La Rue est à la croisée de l'ancien et du nouveau. Il utilise aussi bien les techniques, déjà éprouvées, de la 1re moitié du 15e siècle que les nouvelles méthodes apparues dans la 2e. Chez de La Rue, les mélismes mélodiques du cantus firmus cohabitent intelligemment avec la nouvelle rigueur imposée à la relation entre structure syllabique et développement motivique. Ce coffret double est un délice pour tous les amoureux de polyphonie. De plus, il permettra à l'un de nos fleurons musicaux de rayonner aux quatre coins de la planète.
Frédéric Cardin, La Scena Musicalefévrier 2008
… the sumptuous singing of VivaVoce is a joy to hear …
Steven Whitehead, crossrhythms.co.ukSeptember 27, 2007
… un double album très inspiré, très fervent … vraiment passionnant à découvrir.
Stéphane Grant, Radio France29 septembre 2007
Il n'y a rien de moins éthéré que les voix « terriennes » du chœur canadien VivaVoce, mais quelle sincérité dans son interprétation!
www.lemondedelamusique.frSeptembre 2007
Intonation is spotless, and if the music sags in the second Salve Regina, the performances as a whole are most enjoyable … The sound quality from the Montreal church adds that bloom of reverberation to the sound that we have now grown to love in such recordings.
David's Review CornerAugust 2007
This is a significant—and warmly welcomed—release. The singing of Montréal-based VivaVoce is clean and characterful. Because the texture of La Rue is not so dense as that of Josquin, there is a greater emphasis on the individual singers than on unified ensemble sound. It's more of collection of soloists. Which is not to imply any lack of polish or roughness. In fact, the singing—the voices are very closely miked—is real and personal with a note of purpose and urgency throughout …
Mark Sealey, MusicWeb InternationalSeptember 2007