Purcell: Rejoice in the Lord alway ('The Bell Anthem'), Z49

Henry Purcell is regarded as the first great master of English Baroque music, and his works find their best interpreters today in Andrew Parrott and his ensemble. Purcell's oeuvre features splendid works written for festive occasions at court as well as dramatic operas and melancholy lute songs. This recording offers a representative cross-section of the composer's work, whose popularity remains unbroken.

Established in the 1670s, the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge is today one of the finest college choirs in the world, known and loved by millions for its recordings and concert tours. On this album, the Choir and St John’s Sinfonia, conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, perform works by Henry Purcell and Pelham Humfrey. They are joined by four soloists: Iestyn Davies, James Gilchrist, David Stout, and Neal Davies.

Humfrey was an English composer of the seventeenth century, known mainly for his verse anthems. Being well travelled, he produced works that in their vocal character show the influence of Italian music, and in the instrumental writing that of French music. That said, from these major foreign influences Humfrey forged a personal style that is uniquely English. Although as a composer he was generally forward-looking, his music also shows sub-elements of the English Golden Age of yesteryear. O Lord my God, for instance, is influenced by John Dowland’s celebrated Lachrimae Pavan of almost eighty years earlier.

In contrast, the Magnificat and Nunc dimittis were composed simply to be liturgically appropriate, with a text setting that is naturalistic and direct. Humfrey died at the age of twenty-seven, but even at this young age, he exerted a strong influence on his peers, including Henry Purcell, who as a young boy sang treble in Humfrey’s Chapel Royal Choir.

The works by Purcell recorded here range from works written when the composer was in his teenage years (Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei being a masterly example) to the crowning glory of the recording, O sing unto the Lord, which Purcell wrote when he was in his thirties, and compositionally on fire. At this stage of his career no other composer could touch him. Instruments and voices sing from the same hymn sheet, form and content are inseparable, past and present musical styles seamlessly intermingle, technique and virtuosity are indistinguishable from each other – and soloists and choir mesh together in a dazzling and life-affirming way.

The Australian Brandeburg Orchestra get together each year to celebrate Christmas and Artistic Director Paul Dyer has committed some of the music created to disc.

It contains the usual eclectic mix of repertoire, performed by these first class musicians in their unique way.

Their previous release was universally critically acclaimed and we expect this one to generate similar reviews.

‘The Glory of New College’ is a delightful collection compiled from the extensive catalogue of superb recordings on the CRD label. New College are acknowledged to be one of the best choirs in the world and they are directed here by Edward Higginbottom. Spanning the centuries, the set contains works by Taverner (Mater Christi), Byrd (Gloria), Tallis (Dum Transisset), Purcell (Rejoice in the Lord Alway), Boyce (By the Waters of Babylon), Stanford (The Lord is my shepherd), Faure (Sanctus & Pie Jesu) and many more.

Over two hours of music to soothe the soul.

“An attractive collection from the late 1960s, which happily blends scholarship and spontaneity…they are all very well sung, with the characteristic King’s penchant for tonal breadth and beauty. Excellent recording." Penguin Guide *** Key Recording

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

“Come ye Sons of Art is splendidly paired here with the unforgettable funeral music… With the Monteverdi Choir at its most incisive and understanding the performances are exemplary…” Penguin Guide 08 *** Key recording