Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is a glorious debut recording from the Bristol University Singers, who sing as well as any of the leading Oxbridge choirs. Personally while I applaud the performance I have to confess to feeling uncomfortable with the material, most of which is dedicated to praising the Virgin Mary. The Christian tradition which I follow respects Mary but while we might sing her praises, especially at Christmas, we do not sing to or about her. However, putting this to one side I can tell you that the programme contrasts Marian music from the 16th century, with pieces from the 20th and 21st centuries. Masterworks from the Renaissance by Victoria and Guerrero are interspersed with compositions by Herbert Howells and Pierre Villette and new works by David Bednall and John Pickard. The Bristol University Singers is a chamber choir with 35 members, singing to the highest standards, and on this recording they are conducted in the early works by early music specialist David Allinson, and in the later works by David Bednall who also contributes one of the four settings of "Salve Regina". The choir's blend of voices is perfect and there are several strong solos. The one work that is not Marian is also the only debut recording: "Three Latin Motets" by John Pickard, who is currently Professor of Composition and Applied Musicology at the University of Bristol. All three are exquisite and listeners with an interest in contemporary choral music will want to investigate. Pickard also contributes an "Ave Maria Stella" which features some of the excellent solos that I mentioned above. Thus this is a wide ranging survey of Marian music sung and recorded very well indeed. As I say, I have doctrinal questions about the exaltation of Mary but musically speaking this is an excellent debut from a fine choir.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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