New Releases for 2009

Handel Messiah

The Choir of King's College Cambridge, directed by Stephen Cleobury

EMI  268156  :  On Palm Sunday the choir performed Messiah in the magnificent setting of King's College Chapel and featured the Academy of Ancient Music and soloists Ailish Tynan, Alice Coote, Allan Clayton and Matthew Rose.  For the first time ever in the history of broadcasting, this performance was carried live via satellite and shown simultaneously in over 85 cinemas across Europe and North America.  A DVD will be released in November.

Choral Music of John Joubert

The Choir of Gloucester Cathedral, directed by Adrian Partington

Priory PRCD 1028.   The first ever recordings solely devoted to the works of South African born composer, John Joubert.  Superb performances of rarely heard music make this a must for all lovers of choral music.

Dear Lord and Father

The Choir of Ripon Cathedral, directed by Andrew Bryden

Regent REGCD 298.  A collection of hymns and hymn-anthems from a choir which rarely records.

My Beloved Spake

The Chapel Choir of WInchester College, directed by Malcolm Archer

Regent REGCD 290.  This famous Winchester Quiristers form the treble line of WInchester College Chapel Choir, founded in 1382 and the choir has a unique and unbroken tradition since then.  This CD features outstanding performances from this great choir.  To read more about this choir and watch a short DVD on their new website, please click here. 

Howells from Hereford

The Choir of Hereford Cathedral, directed by Geraint Bowen

Regent REGCD 316  :  Rave reviews over this Howell's recording .  "Hereford Cathedral Choir performs with captivating vigour, fervour and attention to detail! (Birmingham Post).  "If you like the chaste beauty of the English Cathedral tradition, as I do, you will warm to this recital in the stmospheric acoustic of Hereford Cathedral"  (Financial Times)  "a glowing recording by this fine choir which features an impressive set of trebles"  (The Observer)

From the Vaults of Westminster Cathedral  :  A Procession of Chant and Polyphony

The Choir of Westminster Cathedral, directed by Martin Baker

Hyperion CDA 677017  :  "Nearly 78 minutes of utter bliss."  (Cathedral Music Magazine)    "Sung in spectacular style by it's super choir"  (The Guardian)

Ascribe Unto the Lord  :  Large scale anthems from the Victorian Era

The Choir of Exeter Cathedral, directed by Andrew Millington and Stephen Tanner

Herald HAVPCD 347  :  If you enjoy, as I do, wallowing in Victorian Anthems, this CD is for you!  Six absolute large-scale corkers, the shortest one being just over seven minutes to Wesley's 'To my request' weighing in at an impressive 15 minutes.    Three anthems sung by the boys and men and three by the girls and men.  Outstanding performances on each work.  As a bonus, this CD contains the only recording of Ouseley's 'It came to pass' and Walmisley's 'If the Lord himself'  and York Minster in 1999 are the only other choir to have recorded Wesley's 'To my request and earnest cry'

Spirits of the Saints

The London Oratory School Schola, directed by Lee Ward.

Regent REGCD 293  :  A CD devoted to the music of Roxanna Panufnik.  There are four premier recordings, together with the premier recording of the Chamber Orchestra version of the 'Westminster Mass'  The very fine choir at the Oratory School is the only State school offering a Choir School education to Catholic boys.

More Divine Than Human

The Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford

Avie Records 2167.   This recording of music from the Eton Choirbook is already receiving rave reviews  “the Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford… sing without once betraying the technical difficulties of these intricate musical jigsaws, instead giving natural, spacious, rich, expressive performances.”   Sunday Times

Read more about this outstanding recording on the Choirs webpage www.chch.ox.ac.uk/index.php

Mathias  Choral Music

The Choir of Wells Cathedral, directed by Matthew Owen

Hyperion CDA67740  :  Sung by the boy and girl trebles, with the men of Wells Cathedral.  "Even if you are not a particular Mathias fan, the disc is worth its purchase price for the fine singing alone"  (Cathedral Music Magazine)

J..S. Bach  Motets

The Choir of New College, Oxford,  directed by Edward Higginbottom

NCR 1381.  Released in December, any new recording from New College will be listened to in great anticipation.  Order direct from the College - the service is very fast and efficient.

Sing Alleluia

The Choir of Rochester Cathedral, directed by Scott Farrell

Regent  REG 329  :  Scott Farrell's first recording from Rochester - a Cathedral which doesnt record too often.  Available at present only from the Cathedral Bookshop, click here to order

DVD  Choir Release  :  Handel Messiah

The Choir of King's College, Cambridge, with the Academy of Ancient Music,  directed by Stephen Cleobury

EMI 2 DVD set  2681569  :  "Stephen Cleobury's interpretation ticked all the boxes, with choir and orchestra impeccably balanced and soloists glowing" (The Independent)  

DVD Organ Release  :  The Harrison and Harrison Grand Organ of King's College, Cambridge, played by Stephen Cleobury.

This is the third organ DVD issued by Priory and is simply outstanding.  Works by Mendelssohn, Howells, Gigout, Reger, Handel, Wesley, Bach, Elgar, Thalben-Ball and Walton.  The DVD also includes a tour of the organ and demonstration by Stephen Cleobury.

Priory PRDVD3  :  The DVD runs for an impressive 75 minutes