Media Vita ranges through the centuries from the Renaissance to the present day, questioning the mystery of life's transience, and countering it with the light of hope. The medieval chant giving the programme it's title is the basis of an ongoing a cappella interaction between passionate Renaissance polyphony and the intense austerity of the music of today. This first harmonia mundi album by the ensemble La Sportelle shows how impressively they have worked with Owain Park, who has also composed one of the works presented here.