Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Your reviewer faced this disc with trepidation. Herbert Howells (1892–1983) is worthy but dull and Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) difficult – and why put the two of them together anyway? I should not have worried. This is a fine album. The choir, directed by David Rowland, is superb and all nine of the soloists used deserve credit. Julian Collings, the organist, is also worthy of praise. He has an easy start, as Howell's “Requiem” is unaccompanied. There are three other Howells pieces, all beautiful, especially “Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing” which was written in response to Kennedy's assassination. Britten’s contributions are “A Hymn To The Virgin”, “Te Deum In C” and the lengthy sequence “Rejoice In The Lamb”. Britten did not write much church music and it is hard to imagine this being used in worship but it has converted this listener.

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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