Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The opening 20 minutes of this release is taken up with the World Premiere Recording of Herbert Howells first large-scale choral composition, a lively and imaginative setting of the old Borders ballad, "Sir Patrick Spens". Although this is great fun and a welcome addition to the choral canon it need not detain us, as it is not a spiritual work. "Hymnus Paradisi" the main work on this budget-priced CD should be of interest to all lovers of Christian choral music. It was composed under heartbreaking circumstances as Howells struggled to come to terms with the tragic death from polio of his only son, Michael, aged just nine. As his starting point Howells used an earlier "Requiem" from 1932, taking Latin and English texts from the Psalms, the "Missa Pro Defunctis" and the Salisbury Diurnal. The music shows Howells at his best, fully in command of both the voices and orchestra. Soloists Claire Rutter (soprano) and James Gilchrist (tenor) deserve special praise, as does the Bach Choir. 2008 marks the 25th anniversary of Howells' death, an event that deserves some form of recognition. So if anyone from The Proms is reading this - please take note!

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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