I think I am right
in saying that the city of Wells in
Somerset is the smallest city in England.
It is dominated (in a very pleasant
way) by its magnificent medieval cathedral.
Malcolm Archer has been Organist and
Master of the Choristers at this cathedral
since 1996. It is evident from this
CD that he is a first class composer
and choral trainer.
All the pieces that
are included here were composed between
1998 and 2003. Without exception they
demonstrate that Archer has a fine ear
for choral sonority, an admirable sensitivity
to words, and a genuine and distinctive
melodic voice. His harmonic language
is accessible and traditional (in the
best sense of the word) but it is never
bland. Above all, I think, his music
conveys a genuine atmosphere and uplifts
the listener. If I have a complaint
about the chosen programme it is that
most of the music is in moderate or
slow tempo. I should have been interested
to hear Archer in a more rhythmically
buoyant mood. However, that is a minor
quibble for what is on offer here is
very satisfying.
There are two sets
of canticles, one written for his own
choir and one written for the choir
of Clifton Lodge School, Ealing where
one of Archer’s friends is in charge
of the choir. All I can say is that
this school must possess a very good
choir for their ‘Mag’ and ‘Nunc’ sound
far from easy to sing well. The Wells
choir sings both sets of canticles and
indeed everything else on the disc,
extremely well. The Wells Magnificat
is a beautiful setting, distinguished
by flowing, expansive lines. The music
fits the words exceptionally well and
the setting culminates in a wonderful,
majestic and arcing ‘Gloria’ that put
me in mind of Herbert Howells, the supreme
craftsman of ‘Mags’ and ‘Nuncs’. Happily,
we get a second chance to hear the Gloria
when it is reprised at the end of the
fine Nunc Dimittis. In the Clifton canticles
Archer does not set the Gloria to the
same music each time. The conclusion
of the Magnificat (a fine setting that
brings out, I think, that this is a
feminine canticle) is strongly affirmative
‘Gloria’ that tellingly dies away into
mystery. The Nunc Dimittis glows quietly
but fervently and the ‘Gloria’ with
which it concludes fits the music that
has preceded it like a glove.
The disc also contains
a succinct Missa Brevis, commissioned
by a church choir in Dallas. This a
cappella setting exploits the sonorities
of the choir very well. Of particular
note is the slightly more astringent
harmonic palette employed in the plangent
Kyrie and the lovely Agnus Dei in which
rising and falling vocal lines intertwine
most effectively.
Among the anthems I
was very struck by The Son of the
Most High. This was written in 2000
to be sung at the annual week-long liturgical
festival, Musica Deo Sacra, held at
Tewkesbury Abbey each summer, when an
expert visiting choir sings services.
This anthem is a marvellous, eloquent
piece that features glowing and radiant
choral textures. The Wells singers do
it proud. Another striking anthem is
A Hymn to Wisdom, which was written
to mark the retirement of the Dean of
Wells in 2003. It was unveiled during
his final weekend at the cathedral and
must have been a delightful surprise
for him (the composition had been kept
a secret from him.) This piece contains
probably the most wide-ranging music
on the disc and it is performed with
great assurance and commitment.
My favourite piece,
though, is the one with which the recital
closes, a setting of the Christmas text,
O magnum mysterium. In his excellent
liner notes Malcolm Archer evokes the
great settings by Victoria and Poulenc.
I would say that he achieves the same
sense of rarified, peaceful awe and
wonder that we find in the aforementioned
masterly settings of the text and I’d
add another comparison, the setting
by Morten Lauridsen. Archer’s version
is just as atmospheric as any of these
and deeply satisfying.
So, this is a very
enjoyable and rewarding disc. As I’ve
said, the notes are very good and full
English texts are supplied. The sound
is very good indeed; both the engineers
and Archer himself have used the spacious
acoustic of Wells Cathedral effectively
and successfully. There is excellent
ambience round the choir but the singing
is always clearly reported. Of course,
the fine diction and excellent choral
projection help enormously. The Wells
choir is on excellent form. They blend
splendidly and produce a consistently
beautiful sound. Rupert Gough, who is
Malcolm Archer’s assistant, accompanies
several pieces very sensitively, and
the organ sound has been integrated
into the overall balance very well.
The music on this disc
is of very high quality and the performances
are equally fine. Wells Cathedral is
very lucky to have such an accomplished
musician in residence and I hope that
this disc will bring his excellent music
to a wider audience. I strongly recommend
this CD to all lovers of good choral
music and that of the English church
in particular.
John Quinn
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Wells Cathedral Choir directed by Malcolm
Archer