Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Paul Spicer has spent his entire life in choral music. As a seven year old he joined the choir of New College, Oxford and was later taught composition by Herbert Howells, which gives us a useful point of comparison. If you like Howells and other like-minded British composers of the 20th century (think Leighton, Parry, Stanford, Finzi or Walton) you will enjoy making the better acquaintance of Paul Spicer. I was particularly struck by the choice of texts included in this collection: some are predictable (Gerard Manley Hopkins, A E Houseman and such like) but others are very pleasant surprises: this reviewer was delighted to find words by R S Thomas set to such appropriate music. The title piece is a 14th century retelling of the story originally found in John's Gospel and is also well done. Fletcher's "Drop, Drop Slow Tears" is the one disappointment to these ears but "Michael, The Great Prince, Shall Arise" (from Daniel 12) is a triumph. The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge is directed by Sarah MacDonald and here they are in very fine voice indeed with a good, clear acoustic in their own college chapel. Claire Innes-Hopkins, Senior Organ Scholar, supplies a first-class accompaniment. There are 18 short pieces on this CD, ranging from beautiful miniatures to large-scale anthems; none are longer than seven and a half minutes and most are shorter and I would like to think that there are other choirs out there who would be able to tackle some of these pieces and bring them in to more general circulation.

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.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.