Bbc Focus From September 2014

A Christmas programme with a difference: Rory McCleery and his acclaimed consort echo the shepherds’ noels through a motet by Jean Mouton which, astonishingly, remained in the repertoire of the Sistine Chapel for over 100 years after its composition around 1515. So famous already by the middle of the century, when Cristóbal de Morales was engaged as a singer in the papal chapel, that Mouton’s motet would form the basis for a mass by Morales; and, later still, a new motet to the same text by Annibale Stabile. A world premiere recording of the latter work crowns this unique programme, drawn from new performing editions by McCleery himself.

The most compelling arc in the story of a major pop act is always the one where their sound deepens and matures, with the band finally balancing who they are with who the label wants them to be. From the start, Little Mix have been on a mission to perfect this balance, countering their televised coronation as winners of U.K.'s The X Factor in 2011 with albums that showcase their soulful voices and knack for multi-part harmony with believably righteous feminist and sex-positive messages. Released in 2018, the aptly titled LM5 feels like the apotheosis of this journey, and once again presents the group as an empowered pop force to be reckoned with.

The most compelling arc in the story of a major pop act is always the one where their sound deepens and matures, with the band finally balancing who they are with who the label wants them to be. From the start, Little Mix have been on a mission to perfect this balance, countering their televised coronation as winners of U.K.'s The X Factor in 2011 with albums that showcase their soulful voices and knack for multi-part harmony with believably righteous feminist and sex-positive messages. Released in 2018, the aptly titled LM5 feels like the apotheosis of this journey, and once again presents the group as an empowered pop force to be reckoned with.

The most compelling arc in the story of a major pop act is always the one where their sound deepens and matures, with the band finally balancing who they are with who the label wants them to be. From the start, Little Mix have been on a mission to perfect this balance, countering their televised coronation as winners of U.K.'s The X Factor in 2011 with albums that showcase their soulful voices and knack for multi-part harmony with believably righteous feminist and sex-positive messages. Released in 2018, the aptly titled LM5 feels like the apotheosis of this journey, and once again presents the group as an empowered pop force to be reckoned with.