Wells Cathedral Choir, Malcolm Archer, director
The English Hymn Vol 1 Christ Triumphant [ Hyperion / CD - released 4/Feb/2001 ] 'The time spent listening to it has been delightful. Tone, enunciation, resourcefulness of arrangement and accompaniment, all are exemplary' (Gramophone) |
JAMES MacMILLAN
MacMillan: Choral Music [incls 'Magnificat' & 'Serenity'] Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Jun/2011 ] "Singing with impressive self-assurance and clearly revelling in Macmillan's uncanny ability to make everything sound perfectly natural even when the technical skills involved are extraordinarily demanding." International Record Review, July 2011 |
JOHN TAVENER
Tavener: Missa Wellensis Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens [ Signum / CD - released 16/Dec/2016 ] "[A] fine addition to the Tavener discography … The Wells choir possesses a rich and developed tone, which Owens uses to the full in this wonderfully absorbing setting." (Five Stars Choir & Organ) |
VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / RUTTER / CHILCOTT / TRADITIONAL / etc
A Wells Christmas Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens [ Resonus Classics / CD - released 17/Mar/2017 ] "This seasonal sequence is lively, attractive and rather pure" The Sunday Times |
WILLIAM MATHIAS
Choral Music (Incls 'Missa Brevis, Op 64') Wells Cathedral Choir / Matthew Owens (conductor) [ Hyperion / CD - released 20/Apr/2009 ] "The Wells Cathedral Choir throw themselves into Mathias's intricate, fresh settings under Matthew Owens. Enormously enjoyable." Gramophone Magazine Editor's Choice July 2009 |
BOB CHILCOTT
Requiem / Salisbury Motets / etc Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthews Owens [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Apr/2012 ] "A listener to Chilcott's Requiem will quickly identify that it is in the lineage of reflective, consolatory settings by such as Fauré and Durufléthat it is in the lineage of reflective, consolatory settings by such as Fauré and Duruflé...The solo... |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The English Hymn Vol 3: 'Hills of the north, rejoice' - Hymns for the Church Year Wells Cathedral Choir. Rupert Gough, organ, Malcolm Archer. [ Hyperion The English Hymn Vol 3 / CD - released 5/Oct/2002 ] "A collection to lift up your hearts - and take you back to those school assemblies." (Gramophone March 2003) |
VARIOUS COMPOSERS
The English Hymn Vol 4: 'All things bright and beautiful' - Hymns for Children Wells Cathedral Choir, Rupert Gough, organ / Malcolm Archer [ Hyperion The English Hymn Vol 4 / CD - released 1/Jun/2003 ] This much-loved series devoted to the rich treasure store that is the English Hymn now turns its attention to a repertoire that will be familiar to us all, taking us back to our earliest days of hymn-singing at school. |
JUDITH BINGHAM
Choral Music Wells Cathedral Choir, Matthew Owens with Jonathan Vaughn (organ) [ Hyperion / CD - released 20/Aug/2013 ] 'A one-time member of the BBC Singers, Bingham possesses the enviable gift of writing music of uncompromising integrity, resourcefulness and questing spirit that both consistently ignites the imagination and engages directly with the listener' Gramop |
CHILCOTT / MEALOR / HOLST / MacMILLAN / O'Regan / etc
The Song of the Stars: British Music for Upper Voice Choir Wells Cathedral School Choralia, Christopher Finch., with Eleanor Turner (harp) & Elliot Launn (piano) [ Naxos / CD - released 25/Oct/2015 ] The 24 singers together create a sound that is both blended and impeccably balanced, completely consistent throughout widely varied repertoire, but also capable of such constant reinvention." Editor's Choice Gramophone (Awards Issue) |
Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave Regina Caelorum [ Hyperion / CD - released 4/Oct/2004 ] |
Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave Regina Caelorum [ Hyperion / Hybrid SACD - released 4/Oct/2004 ] |
ALONSO LOBO
Lobo: Lamentations & other sacred music Westminster Cathedral Choir [ Hyperion / CD - released 10/Jun/2016 ] Alonso Lobo may be remembered principally for the great funerary motet Versa est in luctum, but his setting of the biblical Lamentations must also be counted among the masterpieces of Renaissance polyphony. No choir has a more distinguished tradition... |
JAMES MACMILLAN
Mass and other sacred music Westminster Cathedral Choir / Martin Baker (with Andrew Reid organ) [ Hyperion / CD - released 15/May/2001 ] "Powerful liturgical music from one of today's most admired composers, performed with passionate intensity by the Westminster choristers" (Gramophone) |
GABRIEL FAURE
Faure: Requiem Op 48 / Messe Basse / Motets Westminster Cathedral Choir, David Hill, St John's College, Cambridge, Robinson [ ALTO / CD - released 1/Nov/2010 ] Top recordings at a special price |
LASSUS
Missa Bell' Amfitrit' altera Westminster Cathedral Choir / His Majesty's Sagbutts & Cornetts / James O'Donnell, conductor [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 4/Oct/2005 ] 'Elegant and imaginative... the wind-band pieces are especially gorgeous. [The Mass] receives an opulent interpretation that stands out in a rather crowded field of challengers. Highly recommended' - Gramophone |
CARDOSO / DE CRISTO / REBELO
Masterpieces of Portuguese Polyphony Westminster Cathedral Choir / James O'Donnell [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 1/Sep/2007 ] 'Although this music is likely to be unknown to most collectors it will prove, as it has to me, a welcome and important discovery' (The Tablet) |
PALESTRINA
Missa Aeterna christi Munera Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 10/Mar/2011 ] "A perfect introduction to the breadth of Palestrina's genius, inspiringly sung" Organists Review |
FRANCISCO de PENALOSA
Masses Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell (conductor) [ Hyperion Helios / CD - released 1/Jul/2011 ] "The exquisite performances under O'Donnell present the music to best advantage, given the masterly accomplishments of this choir" (Fanfare) |
ALLEGRI / PALESTRINA / LOTTI / VICTORIA / MONTEVERDI / CAVALLI / etc
MARBECKS COLLECTABLE: Allegri: Miserere Westminster Cathedral Choir / King's College Choir, Stephen Cleobury [ Decca Eclipse / CD - released 21/Aug/1996 ] Original recordings from 1983, and 1984 |