Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

In the 30 years since the National Youth Choirs Of Great Britain were formed they have continued to blossom and flourish. New director Ben Parry was quick to notice they share their birthday in 2013 with Britten's centenary, and the result is this celebratory double album. Over the course of a year the Delphian engineers have followed the various choirs and for the first time all eight groups appear on disc: 600 singers, eight conductors, in three different venues. The vast range of Britten's choral output encompasses work to match the character of each of the different choirs, from the fresh-faced eagerness of the Training Choirs to the maturity and sophistication of the elite National Youth Chamber Choir. The rigorous training all these singers enjoy bears abundant fruit. Their vocal discipline, their energy, their sheer enthusiasm is vividly conveyed in this unique double birthday celebration. Given how prolific Britten was across several genres this collection is still only a taster. There is no orchestral music (for obvious reasons) and nothing from his operas or 'War Requiem' but instead of commenting on what is not there we should praise that which is. Much is sacred, including "A Ceremony Of Carols" (Girls' Choir/Esther Jones), "Rejoice In The Lamb" (National Youth Choir/Robert Isaacs) and a goodly selection of hymns along with a leavening of secular choral music. All is performed with panache, admirers of Britten's choral music will be delighted and those who are yet to be convinced of his merits as a composer may well find this persuasive.

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