Vaughan Williams, Tavener, MacMillan

by Choir of Westminster Abbey, James O'Donnell, Peter Holder

Overview

This release landed on classical best-seller charts in the spring of 2022, and its presence there seems almost overdetermined. First, there is the fact that it is conductor James O'Donnell's valedictory release as director of the Westminster Abbey Choir; there does seem to be a certain warmth in the choir's performances, in addition to its usual pristine vocal surfaces. Second, although much of the music is familiar enough to lovers of English choral music, there are some major new pieces by arguably the greatest British choral composer of the day, James MacMillan; What man is he that feareth the Lord? and the Mass of St. Edward the Confessor here receive their first recordings, while Who shall separate us? is heard fresh from its performance at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. Third, the program is strong; although all of the music has some connection to Westminster Abbey, and a musical thread links the three composers, O'Donnell's well-defined performances show just how distinctive they are, but in the end, what is drawing listeners to this album is the same thing that has always been compelling in the performances of the Westminster Abbey Choir: it is one of the world's great choral ensembles, with an absolutely distinctive, shining sound, and this release is a landmark in its history, beautifully recorded by Hyperion as usual. ~ James Manheim

Product Details

Release Date:	06/02/2023
Label:	HYPERION
UPC:	0034571284200

Tracks

1. Mass in G minor~Kyrie
2. Mass in G minor~Gloria
3. Mass in G minor~Credo
4. Mass in G minor~Sanctus
5. Mass in G minor~Benedictus
6. Mass in G minor~Agnus Dei
7. O taste and see
8. What Man Is He That Feareth the Lord?
9. Mass of St Edward the Confessor~Kyrie
10. Mass of St Edward the Confessor~Gloria
11. Mass of St Edward the Confessor~Sanctus & Benedictus
12. Mass of St Edward the Confessor~Agnus Dei
13. A Special Appeal
14. Who Shall Separate Us?
15. Magnificat and Nunc dimittis 'Collegium Regale'~Magnificat
16. Magnificat and Nunc dimittis 'Collegium Regale'~Nunc dimittis
17. Song for Athene

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Choir of Westminster Abbey   Primary Artist,Choir/Chorus
James O'Donnell   Primary Artist
Peter Holder   Primary Artist,Organ
Stuart O'Hara   Bass (Vocal)
Jonathan Brown   Bass (Vocal)
Guy Cutting   Tenor (Vocal)
Benji Rimington   Treble (Vocal)
David Martin   Counter Tenor (Vocal)
Freddie Ursell Beer   Treble (Vocal)
James Tweedie   Treble (Vocal)
Tristram Cooke   Counter Tenor (Vocal)
William Balkwill   Tenor (Vocal)
David Gould   Counter Tenor (Vocal)
Mark Dobell   Tenor (Vocal)
Robin Blaze   Counter Tenor (Vocal)
Julian Stocker   Tenor (Vocal)
Simon Wall   Tenor (Vocal)

Technical Credits

Simon Perry   Executive Producer
Nick Flower   Executive Producer
Jeremy Dibble   Liner Notes
David Hinitt   Engineer
Mother Thekla   Lyric Compilation
James MacMillan   Composer
Miles Perry   Photography
Alan Younger   Design
Julian Filochowski   Text Translation
Oscar Romero   Text
Ralph Vaughan Williams   Composer
John Tavener   Composer
Todd Harris   Booklet Editor
Adrian Peacock   Recording Producer