HMV CHOICE

Pilgrimage to Santiago (1 Dec 2006)

Pure, contemplative, ancient choral music associated with the Pilgrim's Way. Embarking upon the ancient pilgrimage across northern Spain to Santiago has become a cult again, celebrated in countless travel books. This is a collection of 17 unaccompanied choral pieces from the route's first boom period of about 1000–1600. Beautiful 16th-century musical tapestries, from the elegance of Palestrina to the glory of Victoria, are complemented by otherworldly chants from the Codex Calixtinus, a sort of musical Lonely Planet guide compiled in 1130.

Anyone who's experienced the humbling awe of Mass in a great church such as Roncesvalles en route, just like millions through the ages, can recapture the spirit with this disc; for anyone intending to do the route it's essential preparation. Once, the Camino de Santiago was Catholics only; now it also embraces anyone with a genuine 'spiritual' search. The same goes for this music, ideal for just calming yourself, or for deeper introspection. Sample the ecstatic Dufay on track 6

Rob Ainsley