Spem In Alium continues to inspire awe five centuries or so after it was composed.

Dwarfed by the vast space of St Bartholomew's Church, 40 demurely clad singers, led by the Tallis Scholars sang of their lowliness.

Their extraordinary performance triggered the shivers. Uncluttered by accompaniment or amplification, the clean, lush chorus left you feeling light-headed and purified.

Even the austere wooden seating - not for lolling on - didn't distract, or stop hundreds of Tallis fans cramming into the venue.

It was packed out, a rare thing for a church these days.

Death, fear, joy and hope were recurring themes in the programme, which also included works by John Sheppard, choirmaster of Magdalen College, Oxford, in the 15th Century.

God was, of course, at the heart of it all, but even with him out of the equation this was stirring stuff.

I won't be rushing out to buy the CD but that is because the occasion, the finale of the Brighton Early Music Festival, could not be repeated and I wouldn't want it diluted.