£14.50 £12.08 Ex vat
Parry Choral Music
The Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge
Julian Collings organ
directed by David Rowland
Description
For the last twenty years the Songs of farewell have been a repertoire piece for the Chapel Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge, and singers who were former members of the choir during that period were invited to join the current (2023) choir to take part in the recording of these. The following day all Chapel Choir alumni were invited to join them for the remainder of the recording. This choir of over one hundred singers bestow a richness to the larger-scale anthems:
The logistics of finding a suitable venue for making the recording – easily accessible for alumni from across the country, large enough to accommodate the number of singers, with a suitably rich acoustic, and a large English Romantic organ which could do justice to the accompanied anthems, led us to the Church of St Michael, Cornhill, in the City of London. This recording is released as a celebration of the work of the Chapel Choir of Christ’s College, Cambridge, and Professor David Rowland, who marks forty years as Director of Music at Christ’s College in 2024.
Track List
Soloists in track 2 : Ruth Provost soprano, Martin Oxenham bass
I was glad when they said unto me
7:26Hear my words, ye people
15:05Blest pair of Sirens
11:01Music, when soft voices die
2:55Songs of farewell
My soul, there is a country
3:50I know my soul hath power to know all things
2:13Never weather-beaten sail
2:57There is an old belief
4:19At the round earth’s imagined corners
7:37Lord, let me know mine end
10:54Jerusalem – arr Edward Elgar, transcribed for organ by Joseph Wicks
2:54 Total Playing time: 71:11
Production credits
Recorded in St Michael’s Church, Cornhill on 18/19 March 2023 Recording producer and engineer: Gary Cole.
Recording assistants: Andrew Gammon and Pippa Cole
Sample audio extracts
Reviews
‘…sung with dramatic conviction and careful intonation… Hearing the motets… with the more substantial size of the choir, affords an instructive perspective of these remarkable, deeply emotional pieces as they might have been experienced in the era in which Parry lived.’ Gramophone October 2024
‘The result is thrilling, lively and loud! Given the numbers involved, the project is a tribute to Rowland’s ability to draw discipline and precision from his choristers. I was certainly caught up in the sense of enjoyment and celebration. ’ ★★★★ BBC Music Magazine November 2024
‘Pure choral nirvana.’ Classical Music Sentinel September 2024
‘Blend, diction, intonation, ensemble, and musical commitment are excellent. ’ American Record Guide November 2024
‘The size of the choir is thrilling in the opening and closing pages of I was glad, and always well disciplined, so that the unaccompanied Songs of Farewell still sound precise and with excellent ensemble. The quiet intensity of Parry’s setting of Shelley’s Music, when soft voices die will delight listeners who enjoy the ‘O pray for the peace of Jerusalem’ section of I was glad.’ Church Music Quarterly March 2025
‘…a glorious celebration of Professor David Rowland’s remarkable 40 years as Director of Music at the college.’ Cathedral Music Magazine Spring 2025
