Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Philip Wilby was encouraged to take up composition by Herbert Howells and spent his professional life teaching composition at Leeds University. He is best known for writing for brass bands (see, for example his 'A Breathless Alleluia' reviewed elsewhere on this site). On this new release, though, we get an interesting selection of his choral and organ music and, as ever with Regent Records, it is nicely presented and beautifully recorded (this time at Wells Cathedral with Gary Wells producing). The album's title is taken from a sonnet on prayer by George Herbert: "Heaven in ordinaire, man well drest/The milkie way, the bird of Paradise/Church-bels beyond the stars heard, the souls bloud/The land of spices, something understood." Wilby uses this as a starting point for some perceptive comments on the continuing role of music in church and his responsibilities as a composer. The pieces selected for this review are all, with just one exception, first recordings. The oldie is an Organ Voluntary, "Recessional On Michael" played by Jeffrey Makinson. The other pieces span a quarter of a century but all stand together very well and are quite clearly the work of one man. Having applauded the organist we also raise our hats to the choir, the ever reliable Exon Singers, directed by Matthew Owens. This on its own should send collectors of contemporary choral music out to their nearest classical record shop to buy a copy: it is difficult to fault The Exon Singers and here they deliver another wonderful performance. The compositions range from the relatively simple to the very ambitious and all were written for use in the Anglican liturgy. A "Magnificat" written for St Paul's Cathedral would challenge any choir but other pieces should be within the reach of any determined amateurs . The two Wedding Anthems, "Breathe on me, Breath of God" and "Thou didst delight my eyes" would be welcome additions to any church choir's repertoire.

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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