Gordon SLATER
(1896-1979), arr. Paul
HALLEY (b.1952) (Tune: St.
Botolph) Hymn: Jesu, the very thought
of thee [4’45"]
Healey WILLAN
(1880-1968) Motet: Gloria Deo per
immensa saecula (5vv) [7’46"];
Motet: I beheld her [2’15"]; Motet:
Fair in face [2’19"]; Motet: Rise
up, my love [2’01"]
Sydney CAMPBELL
(1909-1974) Anthem: Sing we merrily
unto God our strength [2’19"]
Herbert HOWELLS
(1892-1983) Te Deum [8’22"]
Samuel Sebastian
WESLEY (1810-1876) (Tune:
Hereford) Hymn: O Thou who camest from
above [2.36]
Imant RAMINSH
(b.1943) Motet: Ave verum corpus
[5’23"]
John IRELAND
(1879-1962) Hymn: My song is love
unknown (Descant: Paul Halley) [3’15"]
Wolfgang Amadeus
MOZART (1756-1791) Motet:
Ave verum corpus in D, K618. (1791)
[3’13"]
Bryan KELLY
(b.1934) Magnificat in C (1965)
[3’32"]
William Henry
MONK (1823-1889) (Tune: Eventide)
Hymn: Abide with me (Descant: Stephen
Crisp) [3’09"]
Felix Bartholdy
MENDELSSOHN (1809-1847) Hymn:
Verleih uns Frieden (1831) [4’43"]
William Henry
HARRIS (1883-1973) Motet:
Faire is the Heaven (8vv) (1925) [5’16"]
Rev. Clement
Cotterill SCHOLEFIELD (1839-1904)
(Tune: St. Clement) Hymn: The day
Thou gavest, Lord, is ended (Descant:
Paul Halley) [2’28"]
The choir of St. John’s
Anglican Church is the only all-professional
church choir in Canada. As such one
expects, and obtains, a very high standard
of singing. The number of singers is
not mentioned, but I would estimate
these to be at a fairly standard 24
with four to a part in the lower accompanying
lines and twelve top sopranos. The performances
throughout are extremely well presented
and sung. The organ accompaniment is
tasteful and not overpowering and the
tempi and ambience are ideal.
The choice of music
shows a deal of flair. The hymns are
well known, but given new arrangements
with varying harmony, men and women’s
voices in unison, unaccompanied verses
and an imaginative descant on the final
verse. The motets and anthems are interesting.
In the case of Healey Willan I cannot
trace any previous recording (there
are two Virgin collections of Willan’s
choral music. Ed.); both he and Imant
Raminsh are domiciled in Canada, though
of English and Latvian roots respectively.
Faire is the Heaven is another matter,
with over ten rivals; however the choir
acquit themselves well, and measure
up to the competition. They exhibit
a good attack in all pieces and sing
with plenty of spirit. Diction is particularly
impressive, and items which could be
sugary-sweet are not over-sentimentalised.
The recording throughout is well balanced
and faithful.
All in all, an interesting
disc.
John Portwood
see also review
by John Quinn
The Choir of St. John’s Church, Elora/Noel
Edison