Gabriel Jackson, Choir Of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, Duncan Ferguson - Sacred Choral Works Vol II: Beyond The Stars

Published Saturday 30th June 2012
Gabriel Jackson, Choir Of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, Duncan Ferguson - Sacred Choral Works Vol II: Beyond The Stars
Gabriel Jackson, Choir Of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, Duncan Ferguson - Sacred Choral Works Vol II: Beyond The Stars

STYLE: Choral
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 127698-
LABEL: Delphian DCD34106
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

It won't take you many clicks to find my review of Volume One of Gabriel Jackson's 'Sacred Choral Works' from 2005. On this new release the same choir but under a different director take us on the next leg of Jackson's spiritual quest. The quick review is to say that this is more of the same but we need to clarify this. When Eeyore says something is more of the same he is grumbling about the same old same old but Tigger is much more enthusiastic. Tigger liked Volume One and Tigger likes Volume Two just as much and although it is clearly by the same composer those with ears to hear can note his developing talent and maturity. The Choir of St Mary's Cathedral is unique in Scotland in maintaining daily choral services in the Anglican tradition, and enjoys an international reputation for its daily services, broadcasts, recordings, concerts and tours. Organist and Master of the Music Duncan Ferguson has been instrumental in establishing the choir's status as one of UK's foremost cathedral choirs, whose recording catalogue now includes some six discs on Delphian. Celebrating his 50th birthday in 2012, Gabriel Jackson has had a long and close association with the Choir of St Mary's Cathedral. This is the choir's second disc of Jackson's choral music on Delphian, and under Ferguson's dynamic direction they present a sequence of recording premieres that centre on the florid Hymn to St Margaret of Scotland, which has been newly written for the choir. A fitting celebration for Jackson's half-century, the disc opens a window on the luminous sound-world of one of Britain's finest choral composers.

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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