MacMillan: Christus Vincit

“[the repertoire] shows off the warm, immediate New College, Oxford sound in which individuals are encouraged to sing out rather than, as some collegiate choirs prefer, blend in. Some tonal unevenness aside, the results are vivid and committed. One for choral lovers, not purists.” The Observer, 1st April 2012

“Singing and playing are polished, focused and alert; but it’s the controlled intensity that's most striking here. …I can’t recall a performance that so forcefully contrasts the sweet lyricism of 'Verily, I say unto you' and the uncompromising non-tonal harshness of 'Eli, Eli, lama sabachtani?” BBC Music Magazine, June 2009 *****

“This is the work's third recording… and, on balance, the most compelling and inexorable-sounding yet. Graham Ross secures outstandingly fervent and finely disciplined results from the youthful Dmitri Ensemble… while the remaining three items are just as impressive, especially the radiantly soaring anthem for double choir Christus vincit...technically speaking the disc is little short of a triumph in its combination of truthful sonority and wholly natural perspective.” Gramophone Magazine, September 2009

“There are few boy choristers who can phrase as expressively as Edward Higginbottom’s firm rich-toned altos ... a dignified, darkly eloquent performance.” BBC Music Magazine

“…a rich, well chosen selection of works that confirm just how vigorous and robust the British tradition remains, and what safe hands that tradition is in when composers of this calibre are willing to continue it with such understanding and respect for the strengths and needs of the church choir.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2006

“MacMillan's choral music is more often than not a direct response to his own Christian faith. The Mass recorded here was commissioned by Westminster Cathedral for the 'Glory of God in the Millennium Year of the Jubilee' and unlike MacMillan's two previous Masses, which were composed for congregational use, was specifically written for performance by a professional choir. It's through-composed and this provides a sense of structure, continuity and flow that greatly enhances its accessibility when heard out of context – on disc rather than celebrated. That MacMillan intended the Mass for practical use is apparent by his choice of vernacular rather than the Latin text. His often eclectic style is very much in evidence; the score glimmers with echoes of Howells and Duruflé, especially in the Kyrie and in his often quasi-orchestral organ writing, but in general it's MacMillan's individual voice that shapes this impressive and deeply felt setting. The Gloria contains some particularly effective music, not least some marvellously atmospheric organ writing, and the crepuscular Agnus Dei lingers in the mind long after the final notes die away. Of the remaining works on the disc, A New Song and A Child's Prayer (dedicated to the victims of the Dunblane tragedy) stand out as particularly fine examples of MacMillan's choral writing. As a bonus we're treated to the wonderfully translucent organ solo Gaudeamus in loci pace, beautifully performed by Andrew Reid. Performances throughout are exceptionally fine, the recorded sound radiantly atmospheric. A must.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010