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A century of musical innovation The Choir of St Michael’s Cornhill | Jonathan Rennert
Description
This recording celebrates one hundred years of musical innovation at St Michael’s, the historic church on Cornhill, near the Mansion House, the Bank of England, and the Royal Exchange. Built above the foundations of the Basilica of Roman Londinium, and boasting a magical acoustic, St Michael’s has attracted composers, singers and organists for well over six hundred years.
Track List
Jonathan Rennert conductor
William Morley trumpet (track 2)
Nicola Corbishley soprano, Patrick Craig countertenor, Colin Huehns erhu (track 12)
Jeremiah Stephenson (track 11), Graham Thorpe (track 9), Benjamin Newlove (tracks 2,4,7,8) organ
The eyes of all – Harold Darke*
1:39Lord, Thou hast been our refuge – Ralph Vaughan Williams
8:52Even such is time – Harold Darke*
3:03Be strong and of a good courage – Harold Darke*
3:03O gladsome light – Harold Darke
3:17Da pacem Domine – Rhiannon Randle*
3:56Magnificat – Arnold Bax
5:26Psalm 79 (O God, the heathen are come into thine inheritance) – Jonathan Rennert*
4:32Here rests his head – Philip Moore*
Jesu, the very thought of Thee – Gareth Treseder*
2:53A Vision of Aeroplanes – Ralph Vaughan Williams
8:51 memoria – Rhiannon Randle*
6:53Valiant-for-Truth – Ralph Vaughan Williams
6:07*First recording
Total Playing time: 66:03
This recording is dedicated to the memory of Eric Stevens (who sang in the choir for 50 years) and Margaret Fryer.
Production credits
Recorded in St Michael’s Cornhill on 25–27 May 2019
Producer: Gary Cole, Assistant engineer: Andy Gammon
Editors: Myles Eastwood & Gary Cole
P and © 2019 Regent Records Ltd, PO Box 528, Wolverhampton, WV3 9YW www.regentrecords.com
Sample audio extracts
Reviews
‘Behind everything is the firm and discreet hand of Jonathan Rennert, who draws much subtlety and grace from his singers, never forces them to make a bigger sound than is natural for them, and has an unerring sense of what works musically in the church’s glowing acoustic, beautifully captured by Gary Cole in this fine recording.’ MusicWeb March 2020
‘The mixed choir heard on this recording is not large (5-2-2-4). It has an unmistakably English sound: chaste and understated, with excellent discipline.’ American Record Guide May/June 2020
‘…it is abundantly clear that this is an ensemble these days at the top of its game with outstanding blend, ensemble and unanimity of utterance, featuring abundantly clear diction, and a lovely sonority enhanced by true expressive flexibility of tone… Gary Cole captures the warm ambience of St Michael’s and the brilliance of tone abounding in its famous and historic instrument to a T. This CD should quickly make its way into the collection of every serious-minded lover of the English choral tradition.’ Cathedral Music Spring 2021
‘…this is a journey into the unexpected although rooted in the Anglican choral tradition. The singing of the small choir of 12 under Jonathan Rennart is excellent and listeners who like to go off the beaten track, so to speak, will enjoy the journey… ’ Crossrhythms January 2020