David Bednall, Benenden Chapel Choir, Edward Whiting - Stabat Mater
STYLE: Choral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 163030-24450 LABEL: Regent REGCD481 FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1
Reviewed by Steven Whitehead
This fourth release on Regent entirely devoted to compositions by David Bednall is the first recording of his 'Stabat Mater' and 'Ave Maria', both commissioned by Benenden Chapel Choir, and his Marian Suite for solo violin and organ, written especially for this album. Personally while I believe that Mary was the greatest woman ever to have lived and gladly try to follow her example of faithfully obeying God I have to stop short of offering her the worship that properly belongs only to her son. So when I come to one of the great texts of church music, the ancient 'Stabat Mater' that tells of Mary's grief at the foot of the cross on Good Friday, and especially the equally ancient 'Ave Maria' I listen only for the music and not the theology. Bednall's 'Stabat Mater' is a large-scale work for upper voices and organ and features an extensive part for solo violin. In this recording this is played by the internationally-renowned violinist, Jennifer Pike. In keeping with the Marian theme we also get an attractive new setting of the well-known 'Ave Maria' text. Jennifer Pike also plays a new three-movement Suite for solo violin and organ, based on Marian plainchant themes accompanied by the composer on the organ of the Chapel of St Augustine at Tonbridge School. The music is melancholic - as it should be - without ever crossing the line into sentimentality. The girls sing very well but it is the instrumental playing that makes this recording stand out. There are many other settings of 'Stabat Mater' and 'Ave Maria' in existence and while this new one is well worth hearing only time will tell if it will become a regular part of the repertoire of many other choirs.
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