Leighton: Crucifixus & other choral works

"Kenneth Leighton's best-known church work Crucifixus pro nobis is wisely placed last here, giving full prominence to the early and overlooked Magnificat & Nunc dimittis for Magdalen College Oxford, a contrasting work in that form from a dozen years later headed The Second Service, and the lovely Missa brevis from 1968. The Trinity Choir responds to the music's energetic, often muscly feel, and Stephen Layton's direction declines to prettify." (Choir & Organ)

"All the performers, whether singers or organists are on really fine form, with Stephen Layton certainly bringing out the best from his forces. Ted Tregear's booklet notes, which were compiled with the assistance of the composer's daughter Angela, give a good insight into the life of the composer and his music. The recorded sound is also first rate. The engineers have captured the performances in a sympathetic and pleasing acoustic, which is no mean feat when you realise that most of the music was recorded in the cavernous space of Lincoln Cathedral. (MusicWeb April 2015)

"The writing [in Crucifixus] is at its finest when tenor Andrew Kennedy is singing: his contribution is altogether gripping, and unstintingly committed. There's wonderful quiet singing from the choir in the concluding 'Drop, drop slow tears'...The account of the Missa brevis is if anything even better...[Layton] elicits great subtleties of expression from his young singers." (BBC Music Five Stars)