Allegri himself, spinning in his grave

While I can't fault the singing of the Sixteen, they're singing the reconstructed version (cobbled together from Mozart's and Mendelssohn's transcriptions). I know that there is an authentic version out there. I have the broadcast on tape. So why does the EMS have to trot out the old favourite? yes it's beautiful, but is it true?

I'm afraid that's not it either, Bryn.

As far as I know, pedantically speaking the ascent to top C shouldn't be at that point in the verse and shouldn't be a C either, if the whole piece is in 'G minor'. Rockstro took Mendelssohn's transcription of an ornament made at a time when the Sistine Chapel choir were singing the piece a fourth above written pitch. He put it in the wrong place, and in the context of the 'G minor' version. If I felt so moved as to programme the piece in its traditional form I'd be inclined to call it Allegri/Rockstro since it's so far from the original form of the piece.

I believe there was a baroque ensemble in Australia whose director wanted to programme the Albinoni Adagio. Some polite explaining had to be done...