The Chapel Choir Of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald - The Eternal Ecstasy

Published Sunday 4th October 2015
The Chapel Choir Of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald - The Eternal Ecstasy
The Chapel Choir Of Selwyn College, Cambridge, Sarah MacDonald - The Eternal Ecstasy

STYLE: Choral
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 158934-
LABEL: Regent REGCD427
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Since the middle of the 20th century a new style of choral writing has emerged from the United States which has captured the imagination of church - and concert-goers alike across the globe. This style can be described as numinous, spacious and rapturous, with a visionary and transcendental spirituality. These features have led to the simple, but apposite, description of the "ecstatic style". This collection of acappella choral works from the choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge, under Sarah MacDonald, was recorded in the Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral, the location of John Rutter's favourite acoustic. The CD explores the development of the ecstatic style, from its beginnings in 1940s America to the present day, with works from major US composers, including Randall Thompson's "Alleluia", Morten Lauridsen's popular "O Magnum Mysterium" and Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque". We also hear established British composers with Sir John Tavener's "A Hymn To The Mother Of God", Alan Bullard's setting of "The Spacious Firmament" and James MacMillan's "Christus Vincit", together with an early British example of the style in William Harris' sublime double-choir anthem, "Bring Us, O Lord God". The recording also includes new works by younger British composers, Iain Quinn, David Bednall, John Duggan and a new work especially written for this collection by Phillip Cooke "The Eternal Ecstasy" to words from the writings of Saint Teresa of Avila, and all receiving their first commercial recording. The choir are in sparkling form and if you have yet to explore the ecstatic style this is an excellent introduction.

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