Tavener: The Lamb

Arguably Britain’s greatest living choral composer, Sir John Tavener’s music is performed in churches and cathedrals throughout the land and at the most important state occasions. This glorious recording from the choir of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, includes The Lamb, perhaps one of the best-known choral works of the late twentieth century.

Choral elements from Protestant, Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and medieval traditions are included in this anthology of anthems and motets, many drawing inspiration from the Psalms. They range from sixteenth century Germany (Eccard), through the nineteenth-century Anglican tradition of Hanforth, Stainer and Stanford and the twentieth-century Catholicism of Poulenc, to contemporary England (Rose, Tavener, Harvey), Scotland (MacMillan), Australia (Halley) and the USA (Paulus). Previous recordings from the Choir of St John’s, Elora have been described as “a real joy” (Gramophone on 8557037, Faire is the Heaven), and “world-class… sensational” (ClassicsToday.com on 8554823, Psalms for the Soul).

This release, builds not only on centuries of ecclesiastical tradition: superb recordings under the directorship of Noel Edison have also become something of a fixture and highlight of our choral catalogue. This beautifully balanced new programme assumes instant pride of place amongst highly prized predecessors.

A new festive release from the Choir of Jesus College Cambridge under their director Mark Williams – with additional performances from organists Robert Dixon and Timothy Lambourn, and trumpeter Rebecca Crawshaw. The programme is drawn from pieces for the festivals of Advent, Christmas, Epiphany and Candlemas: "Of the annual Christian seasons, it is surely that from Advent to Epiphany which inspires believer and non-believer alike the most: the believer celebrates Christ’s birth whilst the non-believer considers hopes for rebirth and renewal as a New Year approaches … If aspirations surrounding the arrival of a new born child are universal, the Christmas music chosen here reflects the season’s inspiration through quite recent compositions, alongside music from the early part of the 20th century." Mark Williams

This recording is compiled from the Armonico Consort’s Naked Byrd programmes, 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. It follows on from their first volume in December 2009. Armonico Consort is, at its heart, a highly talented vocal ensemble that stages a wide variety of concerts.

The 2008 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, recorded live by BBC Radio 3 in "the magnificent recording studio that is King’s College Chapel.” The service marked the 80th anniversary of its first BBC broadcast and the start of a year-long celebration of the 800th anniversary of Cambridge University.

Some of the most celebrated recordings from Harry Christophers and his award-winning ensemble. Equally appealing to fans of The Sixteen and those who are new to the group, this disc provides a definitive collection of familiar classics and lesser-known treasures.

This album features both classical tracks and pop arrangements, such as Enya’s Orinoco Flow and Bach’s Air on a G string; the disc also includes a track penned by Brian Wilson called ‘Love and Mercy’. This is the song Libera performed to a star-studded audience in Washington DC before Christmas at the Kennedy Centre Honours, an audience which included President Bush, Robert De Niro, Cameron Diaz and Brian Wilson himself. The talented singers of Libera come from a variety of different schools and backgrounds in London and join together at a church in South London where they rehearse and perform for many hours each week. The youngest is seven and the oldest members are fourteen.

Music from three different eras of King's College: under David Willcocks (1970-77), Philip Ledger (1975-82) and Stephen Cleobury (1984-2002).