Stpehen King

A double-album set of orchestral, choral and organ music by one of the most distinguished English composers of the 20th century. Herbert Howells’ An English Mass is presented by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge with the Britten Sinfonia, recorded in the sublime acoustic of King’s College Chapel. Alongside the work is the magnificent orchestrated Te Deum from the Collegium Regale service, and a premiere recording of the Magnificat from the same service, orchestrated by John Rutter. For both these recordings, the Choir and orchestra are joined additionally by the King’s College mixed voice choir, King’s Voices.

What can anyone add to the praise that has deservedly been heaped on Robert King and the King's Consort's 11 discs of the complete sacred music of Vivaldi? Can one add that every single performance is first class – wonderfully musical, deeply dedicated, and profoundly spiritual? Can one add that every single performer is first class – absolutely in-tune, entirely in-sync, and totally committed? Can one add that every single recording is first class – amazingly clean, astoundingly clear, and astonishingly warm? One can because it's all true and it's all been said before by critics and listeners across the globe.

To mark their 50th anniversary, the versatile King’s Singers returned home to King’s College, Cambridge, for a program spanning the entire history of Christmas music. It stretches from the perennial beauty of early plainsong to former King’s Singer Bob Chilcott’s magical “A Thanksgiving,” featuring the National Youth Choir of Great Britain. These two divine works frame sprightly Sweelinck, luscious Herbert Howells, and suave and swaggering Poulenc. The final quarter of this recording features touching arrangements of traditional and popular works, plus the delightful, moving “La Peregrinaçion.”