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THE ENGLISH HYMN: Volume 1, 'Christ Triumphant'.   The Choir of Wells Cathedral Rupert Gough: Organ, Malcolm Archer. Hyperion CDP 12101 68m DDD.

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After seven marvelous volumes of 'The English Anthem', Hyperion continue to dig provincial English choral music out of the back alleys with this mouth-watering collection of anthems. The volume is marked as the first in a series so we can look forward to a host of releases jam-packed with goodies like this one. Those of you familiar with the BBC series, 'Songs of Praise' will know what I'm raving about. Well-known items such as 'Christ Triumphant ever reigning' and 'I Vow to the Thee my Country' (almost commercial since Lady Diana's funeral) rub shoulders with some exquisite rarities such as 'For all the saints' and 'Lead Kindly Light'. We also discover some outstanding beauty in 'Praise the Lord of Heaven' and Salisbury's enchanting 'Holy Spirit ever Dwelling', an outstanding exercise in choral beauty. All twenty-two numbers have something special to them and I recommend the listener to sample each piece over and over again, you will be hooked by the sublime pattern that is so characteristic to the English Hymn. The Choir of Wells Cathedral are a self-recommending bunch of singers and the direction of Malcolm Archer is quite exemplary. The cover design is also immediately striking whilst the notes are very detailed and make interesting reading. Those who have collected the English Anthem need not hesitate whilst newcomers should investigate with vigour; this is surely not to be missed.

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:

Reviewer

Gerald Fenech

Performance:

Sound:


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