Maxwell Davies - Sacred choral music - Hyperion: CDA67454 - CD or download

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Under David Hill and subsequently James O'Donnell the choir of Westminster Cathedral established a tradition of excellent recordings for Hyperion. That tradition is as strong as ever under Martin... — Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010 More…

Release Date: 3rd May 2004
Catalogue No: CDA67454
Label: Hyperion
Length: 66 minutes

Gramophone Magazine

July 2004

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Davies, Peter Maxwell: Missa parvula for unison upper voices & organ

Work length19:27

$5.50

$6.25

Robert Quinney (organ)
Westminster Cathedral Choir
Martin Baker

I. Kyrie

Track length2:43

$1.10

$1.25

II. Gloria

Track length4:26

$1.10

$1.25

III. Credo

Track length5:40

$1.10

$1.25

IV. Sanctus & Benedictus

Track length3:25

$1.10

$1.25

V. Agnus Dei

Track length3:13

$1.10

$1.25

Davies, Peter Maxwell: Mass for full choir & two organs

Work length25:51

$5.50

$6.85

Robert Quinney (organ), Robert Houssart (organ)
Westminster Cathedral Choir
Martin Baker

I. Kyrie

Track length3:48

$1.10

$1.25

II. Gloria

Track length8:14

$1.10

$1.85

III. Credo

Track length5:16

$1.10

$1.25

IV. Sanctus & Benedictus

Track length3:56

$1.10

$1.25

V. Agnus Dei

Track length4:37

$1.10

$1.25

Davies, Peter Maxwell: Veni Creator Spiritus for organ

Work length6:37

$1.10

$1.25

Robert Quinney (organ)

Excerpt, Davies, Peter Maxwell: Latin Motets (2)

Work length5:40

$1.10

$1.25

Westminster Cathedral Choir
Martin Baker

I. Dum complerentur

Track length5:40

$1.10

$1.25

Davies, Peter Maxwell: Reliqui domum meum for organ

Work length4:11

$1.10

$1.25

Robert Quinney (organ)

Excerpt, Davies, Peter Maxwell: Latin Motets (2)

Work length4:37

$1.10

$1.25

Westminster Cathedral Choir
Martin Baker

II. Veni Sancte Spiritus

Track length4:37

$1.10

$1.25

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This new recording from Westminster Cathedral presents two of the most important new Mass settings of recent times. Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, recently confirmed by Buckingham Palace as the new Master of The Queens Music, has throughout his long composing career contributed several miniature sacred choral pieces to the repertory, but these new works represent his first foray into the heart of the liturgy. The Mass for full choir and two organs is based on two plainchants for Whitsun, and is very much a contemporary successor to those great works of the Renaissance with which this choir has cemented so enviable a reputation around the world. Missa parvula, by contrast, is in the mould of Brittens Missa brevis and is for unison upper voices. Upfront simplicity recalls the world of Durufle, even of Solesmes, and we are reminded of Maxwell Davies long commitment to composing music suitable for children. Both Masses were composed for, and first performed by, The Choir of Westminster Cathedral. Also included on this disc are the Two Latin Motets, Dum complerentur and Veni Sancte Spiritus, composed to form part of the celebrations for Maxwell Davies seventieth birthday in 2004, and two extraordinary organ works again based on plainchant themes.

Reviews

2010

Under David Hill and subsequently James O'Donnell the choir of Westminster Cathedral established a tradition of excellent recordings for Hyperion. That tradition is as strong as ever under Martin Baker, who became Master of the Music in 2000. Like his immediate predecessors, Baker is exploring repertoire which isn't just challenging and unusual, but of real value.
The Missa parvula for unison boys' voices vividly recalls Britten's Missa brevis both in its terse musical language and understated emotion. The opening of the Mass occupies the same soundworld as the Missa parvula and it's only with the thrilling and lavishly scored Gloria that it's apparent we are now into a work of much greater depth and impact. This is a hugely impressive performance, as much for the astonishing effect of the two organs as for the often magical choral effects. Baker entices some of the most wonderful singing from his choir here while Roberts Quinney and Houssart revel in their virtuoso interplay. Hyperion's recording captures the full effect of Maxwell Davies' astonishing writing.
A revelatory disc for those keen to know what sort of 'establishment' music we might expect from the new Master of the Queen's Music.

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