Reviewed by Steven Whitehead This is the fourth and, sadly, final themed recording in a series that has confirmed Merton's new choral foundation as one of the country's leading collegiate choirs. Co-conductor Benjamin Nicholas again draws from the landmark collection of more than 50 works written in celebration of the College's 750th anniversary. Here "Ave Regina Caelorum", a new work by Judith Weir, the newly appointed Master of the Queen's Music, heads a set of the four Marian antiphons, all specially commissioned from female composers; while two further premiere recordings represent the work of regular Merton collaborators Gabriel Jackson and Matthew Martin. At the earlier end of the chronological timescale, the other conductor, Peter Phillips, expertly directs William Byrd's rarely performed "Salve Regina", a bold statement of Catholic faith from Reformation England, and John Nesbett's late 15th century "Magnificat", a piece whose neglect on disc is astonishing. For this reviewer, the highlight of the collection is Kerry Andrew's stunning "Salve Regina" with vocal lines coming from all directions and showing us just how accomplished this choir has become. All the singing is exemplary and the audio quality of the recording at the college chapel is pristine, courtesy of Producer / Engineer Paul Baxter. My only reservation is theological rather than musical. As a Protestant I respect and admire Mary as the one chosen to be the mother of the Lord Jesus but I do not see Mary as Queen of Heaven and feel uncomfortable with the veneration shown to her as "Mother of God" in some of the texts. However this is not the place to debate Roman Catholic theology and as a musical collection this is superb.
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