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The Choir of Bristol Cathedral
Paul Walton organ
directed by Mark Lee
SKU: REGCD514 Categories: ,

Description

We are delighted that the tenth release in the Regent “A Year at..” series marks the first recording on Regent with Bristol Cathedral Choir, under their Director of Music, Mark Lee. The recording is a selection of choral works marking some of the main seasons of the Christian year as it is observed in Bristol Cathedral.

Music from the 17th century to the present day takes us on a European tour from Tudor England, via Austria, Spain, and France and ending in Bristol itself with the first recording of David Bednall’s anthem O clap your hands written shortly before the recording sessions as a surprise 40th birthday present for the Senior Lay Clerk, Andy Marshall, and to mark his long service to music in Bristol.

Other contemporary composers are also featured, with works by Sally Beamish James MacMillan, and James Whitbourn.

For Easter Sunday there is Widor’s magnificent Surrexit a mortuis which demonstrates the full range of the Bristol Cathedral organ.

A choir has been singing on the site of the Cathedral since the Augustinian monastery was founded in 1140.

When the church formally became Bristol Cathedral in 1542 its statutes required that provision be made for the development and maintenance of the choir, whose role was to sing the praises of God. The passing of the centuries has modified but not destroyed the pattern. The choir consists of six Lay Clerks, four Choral Scholars, and 24 choristers (12 boys, 12 girls), who are educated at Bristol Cathedral Choir School, the first government-funded Choir Academy in the country.

Track List

Advent
Vigilate – William Byrd
4:27
O radiant dawn – James MacMillan
3:33
Christmas
In the stillness – Sally Beamish
2:07
Hodie* – James Whitbourn
2:38
Candlemass
Videte miraculum – Thomas Tallis
8:38
Lent
In exile – Herbert Sumsion
6:49
Drop, drop slow tears – Kenneth Leighton
2:39
Maundy Thursday
Christus factus est – Anton Bruckner
4:46
Good Friday
O vos omnes – Pablo Casals
3:09
The Reproaches – John Sanders
8:45
Easter
Surrexit a mortuis* – Charles Marie Widor
4:24
Assumption
Ave Maria – Anton Bruckner
2:57
All Saints’ Day
Valiant-for-truth – Ralph Vaughan Williams
5:13
Christ the King
O clap your hands – David Bednall (first recording)
2:03

Total Playing time: 62:11

Production credits

Recorded in Bristol Cathedral 10–12 May 2017, by permission of the Dean and Chapter.

Recording Producer: Gary Cole

Assistant Engineer: Andy Gammon

Editing: Steve Swinden and Gary Cole

Sample audio extracts

Reviews

‘…they approach this very varied programme of music with sensitivity and an excellent range of dynamics.’ Cathedral Music November 2018

‘The sense of joy and commitment to their cause is palpable and most affecting and is a great advertisement for cathedral music and the city of Bristol as a whole. They should all be very proud of this treat of a recording.’  Sydney Organ Journal, Winter 2018


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