Roy Goodman’s recording of the Allegri Miserere (in David Willcocks’s edition, sung in English) was its first, made in March 1963. Although reissued countless times, the complete Argo recording from which it emanates – Evensong for Ash Wednesday – has never before been released complete. Consisting of hymns, psalms and readings, this is a regular event in the King’s College calendar. Roy Goodman – now a famous conductor, then a gifted treble – sang with the choir at the time and in the booklet note provides delightful reminiscences of his time with the choir and working with Sir David Willcocks. He recounts how the boy treble chosen to sing the solo part in the Allegri was appointed on the spot, as it were, and how he charged into the chapel after a game of rugby and was selected to record the treble solo. Goodman has also provided photographs of himself from that time for the cover and booklet of this release.
