Lauridsen: O magnum mysterium

Here is a lovely collection of Christmas Carols from the ever-improving cathedral choir in Chester. A varied selection of old and new carols is interspersed with some short organ interludes.

Dominus Illuminatio Mea - The motto of the University of Oxford provides the inspiration for this album of a cappella choral classics performed by one of the greatest choirs in a city of great choirs. Includes a brand new arrangement of the famous Inspector Morse theme tune by Barrington Pheloung in this 25th Anniversary year of Oxford’s most famous fictional detective.

"This project was born of our desire as an ensemble to showcase the wide musical range of recent American works for brass. Several of these pieces were commissioned by The Bay Brass, and all are presented on this recording for the very first time. In 2001, we approached composer Bruce Broughton with a commission for a ‘tour-de-force’ work for brass and percussion. Fanfares, Marches, Hymns and Finale was completed in 2002 and premiered that year with the composer conducting. About that time it was discovered that there existed several original works for brass by John Williams which had never before been recorded. We were able to find three of these pieces and secure permission to record them with Alasdair Neale conducting. It became clear at that point that we had a recording project on our hands, and so the Broughton and Williams pieces were the first to be recorded in 2004. The next installment was to record Michael Tilson Thomas’s Street Song in the version that he had made for large brass ensemble. The Bay Brass had done the US premiere of this version with MTT and we all felt it a perfect fit for this project. With the composer conducting, this piece was recorded in 2007. The final recordings were done in 2009 with production completed in 2010. We had approached Morten Lauridsen about writing a piece for The Bay Brass, and he responded with Fanfare for Brass Sextet and a brass choir arrangement of his well-known O Magnum Mysterium. Bay Brass members Robert Ward and Jeffrey Budin conducted these works for this recording. Several members of the ensemble had been playing in an orchestra concert where a work by Kevin Puts was performed. They were impressed, and we later asked Kevin if he would write a piece for The Bay Brass. The result was Elegy, written in memory of a dear friend and benefactor. Bay Brass member Paul Welcomer conducted this piece for this recording. When the San Francisco Symphony performed some orchestral music by Scott Hiltzik, we were impressed with the music’s individuality, energy and swing. We asked him right then if he would write a piece for The Bay Brass, and he delivered Spirals the following year. It was premiered in 2005, and Scott’s friend and collaborator, Charles Floyd, came in to conduct the work for this recording." Jonathan Ring, Executive Producer

The Bay Brass was founded in 1995 and is composed of brass players from the San Francisco Bay Area’s leading performing organisations, including the San Francisco Symphony, the San Francisco Ballet and the San Francisco Opera Orchestras. As a true cooperative, The Bay Brass has no principal players and no music director: rather, its musicians share in all of the responsibilities of the ensemble. In addition, its members also conduct, arrange and compose, allowing for expanded creative opportunities for each musician.

“A truly wonderful brass ensemble with a full-bodied sound and no rough edges.” American Record Guide

This recording is compiled from Armonico Consort's 'Naked Byrd' programme, featuring music by composers who wore their hearts on their sleeves and whose art saw their emotions laid bare, in an atmospheric concert where magical musical moments are intertwined with sublime passages of plainchant and violin improvisation.

The Armonico Consort is, at its heart, a highly talented vocal ensemble that stages a wide variety of concerts.The quality of the performances they stage is reflected in the praise they have recently received:

"Superb!" The Times

"A Beautiful Sound" BBC Radio 3

"Quite Stunning" Classic FM

"With the perfectly formed consort, it was an evening to savour" Emma Kirkby

'Sacred' brings together works performed by the acclaimed conductor Robert Shaw and the Robert Shaw Chamber Singers, the outstanding Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus, the legendary Mormon Tabernacle Choir and world-famous soprano Dawn Upshaw. Featured composers include Durufle, Faure, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Brahms, Mendelssohn, Rachmaninoff and Berlioz.

A leading light in the world of youth choral music, the Rodolfus Choir is made up of choristers from ages 16-25 who are past and present participants of the Eton Choral Courses, begun by the choir's director Ralph Allwood in 1980.

This new Christmas programme mixes the familiar with pieces not usually heard in carol services – such as Tomas Luis de Victoria's stunning eight-part 'Ave Maria' (from an edition prepared by John Rutter), and more recent works like Chris Chivers' 'Ecce Puer' and Eric Whitacre's 'Lux Aurumque'. Such a programme is well-suited to a group with the versatility and enthusiasm of the Rodolfus choir.