Reviewed by Dave Massey

An interesting collection of anthems is brought together on this recording of works spanning the last 400 years with Byrd's "Ave Verum corpus" (one of the best known of his works) and Cedric Thorpe-Davie's "Come Holy Ghost, The Maker" - Davie being a one-time composer of film music and choral music with mainly Scottish themes. The result seems to ramble along like Hadrian's Wall - well connected in places whilst completely disjointed in others, leaving the listener pretty sure that he's visited an ancient monument, but not at all certain that it was worth the trip. The choir of St Paul's competently handles the expansive chords of "My Beloved Spake" (Patrick Hadley) with impressive ease and the reflective openness of the Byrd with the kind of assurance that only comes with familiarity - but never really shine or stand out from the crowd.

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