CD Review of Celebremos el Niño
By Richard A. A. Larraga
Choral Journal; December, 2006
...The Rose Ensemble presents seventeenth-century Mexican villancicos from composers working in Puebla Cathedral. Originally simple polyphonic sacred pieces written in the vernacular, the villancico evolved into elaborate pieces incorporating folk idioms, street and dance music, and larger vocal and instrumental forces. The villancicos on this disc are well performed and well recorded, offering polished renditions of rarely heard works. The soloists, unfortunately unnamed, are appealing and the chorus sings crisply and in tune. At times, the chorus tends to push their tone, but, in general, they sing with a light, lovely tone. Of note is the festive opening piece, Convidando está la noche. The performance sparkles with joy.
...The Rose Ensemble offers highly polished performances[;]...enjoyable and well worth having.