Richard Lloyd enjoyed a distinguished career in English church music,
albeit one that was curtailed by ill health which obliged him to retire
early, in 1988. Formative experiences included a spell as a chorister at
Lichfield Cathedral (1942-47) and studies at Jesus College, Cambridge, where
he was the organ scholar (1952-55). After serving as assistant organist at
Salisbury Cathedral (1957-66) he moved to Hereford Cathedral as Organist and
Master of the Choristers (1966-74). During his time at Hereford he was three
times the Director of the Three Choirs Festival when it was held in that
city. He was Organist and Master of the Choristers at Durham Cathedral
(1974-85) before returning to Salisbury as deputy headmaster of the
Cathedral School (1985-88). Notwithstanding his early retirement he has
continued to compose and he has a large portfolio of works to his name, many
of them choral or organ pieces.
The distinguished choral conductor David Hill spent a period of two years
as Sub Organist at Durham Cathedral during the time when Richard Lloyd was
in charge of the music there. The two organists who play on this recording,
Ian Shaw and Daniel Hyde, also worked with Lloyd at Durham. The Bede Singers
is a group formed by David Hill for the purpose of making this recording and
it comprises some former Durham Cathedral Choir members, augmented by
professional singers. In fact this isn't the first time the group has
recorded Lloyd's music: David Hill and the Bede Singers recorded another
collection of his pieces in 2005 for Priory Records (PRCD838). I've not
heard that disc but I believe there is no duplication between the two
programmes; indeed, all but four of the pieces on this present disc here
receive their first recordings.
The music is unfailingly accessible. Lloyd is a genuine melodist and while
his harmonic language might be described as conservative it's also
interesting. He is discerning in his choice of texts and it seems to me that
his music invariably enhances the words. This is expertly crafted, sincere
and expressive music which will grace any liturgy at which it is sung.
Open my heart, illumine me offers a good illustration of Lloyd's
craftsmanship. The piece is founded on a long stream of melody and the
composer is genuinely responsive to the words he has chosen. This is a
completely winning piece. Even more compelling is
All so still.
This is a rapt setting of a poem by W Graham Robertson (1866-1938) which
tells in a gentle fashion of Christ's coming. Lloyd has set these words
exquisitely and with subtlety and the Bede Singers give the piece a
dedicated performance. This is music that should be widely known and
performed.
A Song of the Passion was written to mark the 80
th
birthday of Philip Radcliffe, one of Lloyd's former tutors at Cambridge.
This touching Passion meditation is very beautiful and I'm at a loss to
understand why this recording is the first performance of the piece. There
are important alto and tenor solos in this piece and both are expertly
taken.
While
A Song of the Passion was written some three decades after
Lloyd's time at Cambridge
Adoro te devote, the earliest piece on
the programme, is a product of his student days. Written for male voices
it's gentle and reflective. Coming right up to date,
Keep me, O
Christ was written sixty years later. It is dedicated, as an expression
of gratitude, to David Hill and the Bede Singers. The piece is gentle,
unassuming and sincere and, to me, seems to be a wonderful way to say thank
you.
Though quite a lot of the music on this disc is gentle and reflective
there are some more extrovert pieces too. The Lichfield Service Magnificat,
which opens mellifluously, builds to a strong doxology, during the course of
which the sopranos are taken up to a top B flat. However, Lloyd resists the
temptation to repeat the doxology in the Nunc dimittis and instead composes
a subdued and highly effective doxology which is right in keeping with his
setting of the canticle.
Now glad of heart is a joyful Eastertide
piece for unaccompanied choir while
What songs are these? is a
delightful composition for female (or high) voices and organ which the
ladies of the Bede Singers deliver in a fresh, carefree way.
The recital ends with
Rejoice and sing. This is the most
substantial piece on the programme and its opening and closing sections are
jubilant and vigorous. There's an extended central section which is calm and
lyrical. This first rate anthem is an ideal piece with which to close a most
rewarding programme.
I enjoyed all of this music very much indeed. My enjoyment was enhanced
considerably by the splendid performances. Indeed, I find it hard to imagine
that Richard Lloyd's music could receive finer advocacy. The choir is
consistently excellent and the singers sound really engaged with the music.
The work of Ian Shaw and Daniel Hyde at the organ is first class. Gary
Cole's engineering presents the performers in very good sound. The composer
himself has contributed succinct notes on each piece.
John Quinn
