Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

A strange thing happened to your reviewer about 10 minutes into this recording: I noticed just how good the choir sounded. In part this is down to the usual high standard of production and engineering, courtesy of Regent Record's Gary Cole, but mainly it was thanks to the excellent singing from the Choir of Hereford Cathedral. Of course we expect good things from any cathedral choir - but we do not always get what we expect. However this recital is absolutely right: not too showy and allowing Herbert Howells' distinctive voice to come through. Full credit, then, to director Geraint Bowen and a tip of the hat to organist Peter Dyke as well. The content of this disc has been thoughtfully selected and compiled. We open with "Te Deum" and "Jubilate" from 'Collegium Regale', written for the Choir of King's College and the disc closes with the corresponding "Magnificat" and "Nunc Dimittis" from the same work. In between we have three more pairs of "Magnificat" and "Nunc Dimittis" from the 'Gloucester Service', the 'Hereford Service' and the 'Worcester Service' which tells us that Howells had an affinity with the Three Choirs' Festival. And between each pair "Mags and Nuncs" we have Four Anthems: "O pray for the peace of Jerusalem", "We have heard with our ears", "Like as the hart", and "Let God arise". If you have any sort of choral collection you are bound to have at least some of these pieces but if you have any appreciation of classic Anglican cathedral music you will greatly enjoy this lovely collection.

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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