Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Warning! This album is full of earworms. This is, in my ears at least, a cause for celebration as your reviewer is fond of a good tune and Joanna Forbes L'Estrange supplies them along with plenty of harmony provided by the ever-reliable London Voices under Ben Parry, accompanied by Andreana Chan on the organ when the choir is not singing a cappella. Joanna Forbes L'Estrange has come to composition relatively recently after a successful career as a soprano and Musical Director of top vocal group The Swingle Singers. The pieces in this collection are intended to be within the ability of a parish choir being accessible, challenging without being too demanding, and unlikely to be out of the vocal range of most singers. And all the texts are in English. As a composer JFL'E is probably best known for her setting of the opening verses of Psalms 72 and 149 "The Mountains Shall Bring Peace" which was sung around the United Kingdom and beyond to celebrate the coronation of King Charles III in 2023. Our two village choirs combined for a coronation concert and greatly enjoyed singing this and hearing it again in this collection brought back happy memories. As well as "The Mountains" the album contains introits, anthems, canticles, a set of Preces and Responses, and a congregational mass setting, "The St Helen's Service". Other standouts for me are "The Chorister's Prayer" which is sung twice, once as a full choir and once in a version for upper voices. "Words From The Cross" which would be a welcome addition for any Good Friday service, and interesting new settings for "Drop, Drop, Slow Tears" (words by Phineas Fletcher), "The Lord's Prayer" (words by Jesus), and "Saint Richard's Prayer" (the Richard being Richard of Chichester). If you want an easy comparison, Joanna Forbes L'Estrange is not unlike John Rutter in writing music that choirs enjoy singing, audiences appreciate hearing, and worshippers find helpful in drawing us closer to God. Sheet music and rehearsal aids are available from www.lestrangemusic.com, the home of both Joanna and her equally musical husband Alexander. The website is well worth a visit and this album is well worth hearing.

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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