Britten: a Ceremony of Carols, Missa Brevis & Othe

James O'Donnell (organ), Sioned Williams (harp) & Choir of Westminster Cathedral, David Hill

Het zingen van de Westminster jongens hier is bijzonder indrukwekkend, met een perfect begeleidend ensemble, het solowerk is verbazingwekkend volwassen, en een uitstekende bijdrage van de solo harpiste ... een heel bijzondere collectie, prachtig en sfeervol vastgelegd in een ideale sfeer.

Britten:
 A Ceremony of Carols, Op. 28
 for treble voices and harp

 Missa Brevis in D major, Op. 63
 for boys' voices and organ

 A Hymn to the Virgin
 for double choir

 A Hymn of Saint Columba
 for choir and organ

 Deus in adjutorium meum (Psalm 70)
 for unaccompanied choir

 Jubilate Deo in E flat major (1934)
 for choir and organ

"A Ceremony of Carols sets nine medieval and 16th-century poems between the 'Hodie' of the plainsong Vespers. The sole accompanying instrument is a harp, but given the right acoustic, sensitive attention to the words and fine rhythmic control the piece has a remarkable richness and depth. The Westminster Cathedral Choir performs this work beautifully; diction is immaculate and the acoustic halo surrounding the voices gives a festive glow to the performance.
A fascinating Jubilate and A Hymn to theVirgin, while lacking the invention and subtlety of A Ceremony, intrigue with some particularly felicitous use of harmony and rhythm. Deus inadjutorum meum employs the choir without accompaniment and has an initial purity that gradually builds up in texture as the psalm (No 70) gathers momentum.

The Missa brevis was written for this very choir and George Malcolm's nurturing of a tonal brightness in the choir allowed Britten to use the voices in a more flexible and instrumental manner than usual. The effect is glorious. St Columba founded the monastery on the Scottish island of Iona and Britten's hymn sets his simple and forthright prayer with deceptive simplicity and directness. The choir sings beautifully and the recording is first rate."
Gramophone Classical Music Guide - 2010