Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The centrepiece of this very interesting and very well performed collection is Byrd's "Mass For Five Voices" from the 16th century although it is not presented as a period piece which makes it sound refreshingly contemporary and even if you have other versions of this seminal work this one is worth adding to your collection. Thus the choice of "Haec Dies" by Herbert Howells is an appropriate title track as all the music featured speaks to us this day. William Byrd (1539/40-1623) lived through the Reformation as a Roman Catholic and it is testimony to the high regard in which he was held by Queen Elizabeth that he survived. However he fell out of favour with posterity and was only rediscovered in the 20th century. The eight modern composers included in this release give an excellent survey of English choral music in the last century so we will run through them in order of appearance: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), "Whitsunday Hymn"; William Harris (1883-1973), "Eternal Ruler"; Gustav Holst (1874-1934), "Man Born To Toil"; Percy Whitlock (1903-1946), "O Living Bread, Who Once Didst Die"; Gerald Finzi (1901-1956), "Up To Those Bright And Gladsome Hills"; Benjamin Britten (1913-1976), "A Hymn To The Virgin"; there are two pieces by Herbert Howells (1892-1953) in "Haec Dies" and "Master Tallis's Testament"; and Arnold Bax (1883-1953) gives us "Lord, Thou Hast Told Us". In addition to Byrd's Mass there are three older works: "Funeral Music", an organ piece by Thomas Tallis (c 1505-1585) arranged by Martin and Geoffrey Shaw; Byrd's "Fantasia In C" arranged by J E Borland; and Robert Pearsall (1795-1856) has a version of "Tu Es Petrus". The Choir of Gonville & Caius College, Cambridge sing as well as ever and there is much on this CD to enjoy.

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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