Restoration Music from Westminster Abbey
William CHILD (1606-1697) O praise the Lord [2.41]
John BLOW (1649-1708) Voluntary in A [2.29]; God is our hope
and strength [3.20]; Venite [3.35]
William TURNER (1651-1740) Psalm 113 [2.35]
John BLOW Voluntary in D minor [2.43]
Henry PURCELL (1659-1695) Benedicite [7.30]; Benedictus [4.26];
O Lord God of hosts [4.29]
John BLOW Voluntary in D minor [3.14]; Salvator mundi, salva
nos [3.44]
Henry PURCELL Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei [6.27]; Voluntary
in D minor [3.35]; Hear my prayer, O Lord [2.26]
William TURNER Psalm 54 [2.37]
Henry PURCELL Voluntary in C major [1.27]; Magnificat [3.54]; Nunc
dimittis [1.58]; Lord, how long wilt thou be angry [3.49]; Voluntary in G
major [3.07]
The Choir of Westminster Abbey/James O Donnell
Robert Quinney (organ)
rec. Westminster Abbey, 11-12, 22-23 June 2009. DDD
HYPERION CDA67792 [70.06]
This superb disc presents music associated with Westminster Abbey; that would
most likely have been sung by the Choir of the Abbey in the late 1670s and
early 1680s. It is here performed in the Abbey itself by the current Choir,
conducted with flair and proficiency by James O’Donnell.
The programme includes four canticles from the Service in B flat by the most
famous organist of Westminster Abbey, Purcell - in which Service the great
composer set all the available Office texts. These are interspersed with anthems
and motets as well as voluntaries by Purcell and Blow – who had been the organist
at the Abbey both before and after Purcell. The voluntaries are here played
by Robert Quinney with both virtuosity and elegance.
The disc opens with a work by William Child, who wrote a vast amount of music
for the restored Anglican Church after the Commonwealth. From the very first
note of Child’s O Praise the Lord, it is clear that the Choir are going to
live up to their outstanding reputation.
The other composer to be featured is William Turner - a Gentleman of the Chapel
Royal and a Lay Vicar at the Abbey. Two chants by him appear here – the Psalms
113 and 54, which the Choir imbue with great beauty and musicality. Other
highlights of the programme include Blow’s God is our hope and strength, and
Hear my prayer, O Lord, one of Purcell’s most powerful works – here given
an exultant and radiant performance.
My only criticism is that the men – on occasion – appear slightly to lack
conviction and purpose when exposed. The boys, on the other hand, are superb
throughout; a bit breathy maybe but nevertheless extremely beautiful and with
superb intonation. They sing with both clarity of diction and with intelligence
and imagination.
A lovely programme; pleasing sound and balance, and some exquisite music-making.
Em Marshall
A lovely programme; pleasing sound and balance, and some exquisite music-making.