Prices shown exclude VAT. (UK tax is not payable for deliveries to United States.)
See Terms & Conditions for p&p rates. | |  | Jingle WellsChristmas Music from Wells Cathedral
Jingle Wells offers an unusual and very festive collection of Christmas music from the choir of the famous thirteenth-century Cathedral of Wells. There are offerings both sacred and secular, old and new, to suit all Christmas pallets sung by the highly acclaimed Wells Cathedral Choir, hailed by Gramophone in December 2010 as the highest ranking choir with children in the world. “nice title; even nicer singing: the Wells Cathedral Choir, especially the excellent boy-girl treble line, enjoys itself in this selection of Christmas favourites. Their Jingle Bells is a real belter.” BBC Music Magazine, Christmas 2012 **** “everyone involved makes a good job of imagining snowy fields, glittery Christmas trees and holly-decked halls, and projecting that seasonal mixture of joyfulness and solemnity in their performances...Of its kind, it is hard to imagine a better Christmas CD. Profits from this bargain-priced disc will fund bursaries for Wells Cathedral choristers from poorer backgrounds.” MusicWeb International, November 2012 “Wells's burgeoning reputation as one of the best cathedral choirs in the country is further bolstered by the faultless tuning and blend of the strong and broad sound for which its boys are known” Gramophone Magazine, December 2012 “Carols don’t often have me chuckling out loud, but the ha-ha-has and he-he-hes — no ho-ho-hos, alas — as the choir are “laughing all the way” in Ralph Allwood’s hilarious arrangement of Jingle Bells is a blast of seasonal jollity.” Sunday Times, 23rd December 2012 | 
| | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Bob Chilcott: Requiem & other works
Composer and conductor Bob Chilcott (born 1955) has been steeped in the British choral tradition since he was a boy chorister. A former member of The King’s Singers, he is now one of the UK’s most prolific and creative choral composers, writing appealingly direct and accessible music with memorable melodies reminiscent of John Rutter at his best. Of his most recent large-scale work, his Requiem (2010), Chilcott says he was initially ‘terrified by the idea’ of writing a work with such a weight of history behind it, but he has certainly risen to the challenge: his Requiem is characterized by a gentle, forgiving atmosphere clearly modelled on Fauré’s Requiem, with a crystalline, reflective Pie Jesu for solo soprano at the emotional heart of the work. This and the other works performed here, all first recordings, are beautifully performed by Wells Cathedral Choir and Matthew Owens, The Nash Ensemble and two superb young soloists. “His Requiem (2010), mostly set to Latin texts, pays homage to its great predecessors yet has its own distinctive, serene, meditative quality, beautifully rendered by the mixed voices of Wells Cathedral Choir, Laurie Ashworth (soprano) and Andrew Staples (tenor).” The Observer, 25th March 2012 “A listener to Chilcott’s Requiem will quickly identify that it is in the lineage of reflective, consolatory settings by such as Fauré and Duruflé...The solo writing is light and fluent and Andrew Staples, with his clear, easy tone is ideal for this assignment...Matthew Owens leads a dedicated, eloquent performance.” MusicWeb International, 12th March 2012 “Although this is music steeped in the Anglican mainstream, there is just enough of a French influence to prevent it from becoming anodyne and nebulous...The addition of a wind quartet and timpani brings a freshness and piquancy to the timbral palette...Matthew Owens draws impassioned and beautiful performances throughout this delightful disc.” Gramophone Magazine, June 2012 “Can something be too beautiful? It's a thought that struck me occasionally, listening to Bob Chilcott's new Requiem...there's plenty of fluid writing for the choir and two excellent soloists, whose interaction produces ravishing textures. By the end, however, I felt over-cosseted and in need of aural roughage...The Wells Choir attacks both pieces with evidence relish.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2012 *** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | MacMillan: Choral Music
James MacMillan is renowned for his highly original yet accessible choral music. His prolific output displays an intrinsic understanding of the human voice and his music will undoubtedly stand the test of time. MacMillan’s work is inseparable from its composer’s committed adherence to Roman Catholicism. A sense of this religious belief imbues much of his work, which seeks to combine the sacred with the everyday. This disc highlights the astonishing variety prevalent in his music, from the powerful and stylistically complex Magnificat and Nunc dimittis to the beautiful and intimate On Love composed in Macmillan’s student days for the wedding of close friends. Wells Cathedral Choir is in fine voice and they tackle the more challenging works with aplomb and conviction. With their sensitive interpretations and luminous sound it is easy to see why they have been labelled England’s finest cathedral choir. The closing work on the disc is a hugely demanding work for solo organ, Le tombeau de Georges Rouault, one of only five works for the instrument written by the composer. Organist Jonathan Vaughn gives a masterly performance of this highly virtuosic and elaborate work. “Vaughn displays breathtaking virtuosity in Le tombeau...That's not all...he is called upon to add not mere accompaniments but truly virtuosic partnerships with the choir...The choir is, in a word, magnificent. Singing with impressive self-assurance and clearly revelling in Macmillan's uncanny ability to make everything sound perfectly natural even when the technical skills involved are extraordinarily demanding.” International Record Review, July 2011 “This disc is a double triumph for Wells. Not only does it maintain the world-class standard of their recent recordings, it also secures beyond doubt for them a reputation as the must-have interpreters of contemporary British sacred repertoire...If you only ever buy one disc of MacMillan's choral works, then make it this one. In terms of both choral performance, and in displaying MacMillan's tremendous stylistic range, it can't be beaten.” Classic FM Magazine, August 2011 ***** “The Choir of Wells Cathedral lives up its reputation as Britain's best cathedral choir...the Wells sound, recorded with appropriate spaciousness but without excessive resonance, easily rises above occasional suggestions of Anglican gentility.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2011 “MacMillan's vocal writing can be dazzlingly virtuosic...Yet his shorter, simpler pieces are equally engaged with spirituality. The Wells singing is of a consistently high standard (MacMillan's trademark use of melisma is particularly well assimilated), and organist Jonathan Vaughn delivers a scintillating account of Le tombeau de George Rouault” BBC Music Magazine, October 2011 **** | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Mathias - Choral Music
Mathias: | Let the people praise thee, O God Jesus College Service, Op. 53 A babe is born In excelsis gloria 'Gloria, Christo paremur cantica' Processional Missa Brevis, Op. 64 Ave verum corpus Carillon All wisdom is from the Lord, Op. 88, No. 3 Lift up your heads Rex Gloriae 'O Nata Lux', Op. 83 Festival Te Deum, Op. 28 'We praise thee, O God' Jubilate Deo, Op. 90, No. 2 'O be joyful in the Lord' |
William Mathias’s ebullient, joyful choral writing, drawing on a variety of musical traditions, is immediately accessible and likeable whilst demonstrating an architectural sophistication that brings it into the top rank of twentieth-century liturgical music. He had a particular flair for brilliance, drama and display, which made his music highly suited to ceremonial and festive occasions; present too in his music is a sense of Celtic mysticism and deep spirituality which enhances such works as ‘All wisdom is from the Lord’ and ‘O nata lux’. This disc includes a comprehensive selection of his works for choir and organ, spanning his wide-ranging musical career and manifold influences. It is performed by Wells Cathedral Choir—recently described in Gramophone magazine as ‘probably the finest English Cathedral choir at the moment’—whose delightfully full-throated, vibrant sound is the perfect vehicle for this repertoire. “Central to this valuable anthology of Mathias's church music is the tautly concentrated Missa brevis of 1973. It’s the outer movements that are most impressive, the Kyrie drawn tensely together in a mesh of tight major and minor intervals, the Agnus Dei uneasily stretching forth towards a still distant eternity.” BBC Music Magazine, June 2009 **** “What shines through this entire programme is Mathias's life-affirming energy and his unquenchable streak of optimism. …these are superbly polished performances that, together with Jonathan Vaughn's jovial accompaniments and lively solos… provide a showcase for one of the late 20th century's more distinctive composers for the church.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2009 | | | In stock - usually despatched within 1 working day. |
|
|
| |  | Wagner at the OrganThe Transcriptions of Edwin Lemare
Released for the Wagner bicentenary in May 2013, the first disc by a British organist entirely devoted to Wagner, and a major contribution to the small discography of Wagner transcriptions for a solo instrument. Wagner’s major orchestral works, including the Overture to Mastersingers and Ride of the Valkyries, in virtuoso transcriptions for solo organ by Edwin Lemare. Played by Jonathan Vaughn on the 1911 Harrison and Harrison organ of St Mary Redcliffe in Bristol – regarded as one of the finest high Romantic organs ever built. Jonathan Vaughn is a former organ scholar of St John’s College, Cambridge, and is most often heard accompanying the world-class choir of Wells Cathedral in his capacity as assistant organist of the Cathedral. This debut solo recording from Jonathan Vaughn demonstrates his supreme virtuosity in powerfully dramatic repertoire, as well as the immense range of tone colour of the Redcliffe organ, and will capture the imagination of all lovers of Wagner’s music. |
| | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Songs of Sunshine
The latest release from Wells Cathedral Choir, directed by Matthew Owens – judged by an international panel of leading critics in Gramophone January 2011 the No. 1 choir for children and No. 6 in the world's best choirs. The choir’s fourth recording with Regent Records. An uplifting and inspiring collection of great choral music sung in the radiant acoustic of Wells Cathedral. Includes favourite works by John Rutter, Howard Goodall (including ‘The Vicar of Dibley’), Handel and Vivaldi. Sold in support of the work of St Margaret’s Hospice, Somerset – one of the largest charitable organizations working in Somerset and parts of neighbouring counties to provide care to those who have a terminal or life-limiting illness – www.somerset-hospice.org.uk “Like the proverbial cup, this delightful disc brimmeth over with good cheer...Owens's refreshing approach to Sidney Carter's hackneyed Lord of the Dance is nicely juxtaposed against the solidity of Biebl's men-only Ave Maria...As a musical sequence, this rich and colourful programme works well and will undoubtedly provide support and succour to all those who hear it.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2011 | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Choral Music by Jonathan Dove
Jonathan Dove’s beautiful choral works have made him into a household name among professional and amateur singers alike. His writing is eminently approachable yet highly original. His music appears on cathedral music lists frequently around the UK, his distinctive voice and imaginative choice of texts creating inspirational works suitable for many different liturgical occasions. The Missa brevis is the most recent work to be recorded here and was commissioned by the Cathedral Organists’ Association for their conference in Wells Cathedral in May 2009 and first performed by the cathedral choir under Matthew Owens’ direction. The same forces have recorded it here along with a delectable selection of Dove’s anthems. “The quality of any cathedral choir is governed by the standard of its trebles...Wells is currently enjoying a superb top line, rewardingly displayed in this collection of Jonathan Dove's radiant choral works, including a first recording of his sparkling Missa Brevis...It makes an attractive, stimulating addition to the liturgy.” The Observer, 5th September 2010 “there's so much freshness, attack and palpable involvement...not least from the consistently excellent boy and girl choristers. Dove's music is splendidly effective and birghtly expressive.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2010 **** “The choir sings as one with crisp diction and expertly handled dynamic contrasts, whilst Vaughan's multi-faceted organ performance is genuinely exciting to listen to, whether haunting and subdued or triumphantly raising the roof. Close your eyes and you could be in Wells Cathedral.” Classic FM Magazine, November 2010 **** “Dove's fresh, diatonic idiom is coupled to a matchless sense of word-setting...[His] fondness for multi-layered textures enhances a strong dramatic impulse...the Wells choristers tackle everything with aplomb, élan and evident enjoyment.” Gramophone Magazine, November 2010 “The richness of Jonathan Dove's choral writing and his vividly colourful (yet sometimes sparing) use of the organ is heard again and again throughout this collection, so stirringly and beautifully sung by Wells Cathedral Choir.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition | | | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. |
|
|
| |  | Flame CelestialChoral music by David Bednall
A major new release: more choral works from composer David Bednall sung by the internally-renowned Choir of Wells Cathedral, directed by Matthew Owens. “[Bednall's] intimate knowledge of the choir, the organ and, perhaps most tellingly, the Cathedral's acoustic (gloriously captured in this warmly atmospheric recording) infuse every bar, and the choir responds with both affection and towering authority.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2010 | | | Usually despatched in 4 - 5 working days. |
|
|
| |  |
Jonathan Vaughn (organ), Simon Wall (tenor), James Birchall (baritone), Edward Grint (bass) & Ruth Jenkins (soprano) The Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge, Daniel Hyde (director) Charles Wood made an important contribution to Anglican church music, with liturgical settings that remain part of cathedral choral repertoire. Answering a request from Eric Milner-White, the then Dean of King’s College, Cambridge, Wood completed his setting of the St Mark Passion in August 1920. As with J.S. Bach’s inclusion of Lutheran chorales in his St John Passion, here the flow of the biblical narrative in English, interspersed with well-known hymns for choir and congregation, provides the key to the work’s success. “Modestly tasteful, Wood's St Mark still fails to engender any passion.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2008 | | | (also available to download from $6.00) | Usually despatched in 2 - 3 working days. (Available now to download.) |
|
|
| |  | Ave Maria: Madonna Mystica - Bach, J.S. / Handel, G.F. / Schubert, F. / Bruckner, A. / Brahms, J. / Liszt, F.
Ingrid Kertesi (soprano), Rosmarie Kalin (soprano), Alexandra Berving-Wassen (piano), Matthew Morley (organ), Antonella Balducci (soprano), Paolo Crivellaro (organ), Loreto Fernandez Imaz (organ), Jorg Waschinski (soprano), Jean Nirouet (counter-tenor), Hilde Coppe (soprano), Jan van Elsacker (tenor), Jan van der Crabben (bass), Werner van Mechelen (bass), Jonathan Vaughn (organ) Camerata Budapest, Stella Chamber Choir, Hungarian State Opera Chorus, St. Bride's Church Choir, Fleet Street, Radio Svizzera Choir, Lugano, Oxford Schola Cantorum, Northern Chamber Orchestra, Capilla Penaflorida, Ministriles de Marsias, Oxford Camerata, , Laszlo Kovacs, Solvieg Agren, Pier Giorgio Morandi, Robert Jones, Diego Fasolis, Nicholas Ward, Josep Cabre, Jeremy Summerly, Herve Niquet, Helmut Muller-Bruhl, Patrick Peire, Christopher Robinson | |
|
| |
|
Gramophone Magazine
