Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

We enjoyed the Christmas CD that came from Hereford Cathedral in 2012 and welcome this latest recording showcasing the range of music typically sung in the cathedral during the three main services on this major day in the church's year. We have all the music for Matins, including Responses and Psalms. These are done very well courtesy of Cantor Duncan Wilkins but do not bear repeated listening unless you are using this recording as a substitute for being there on the day. The Canticles and Anthem are more interesting as pieces of music, focusing on Charles Villiers Stanford with the "Te Deum" and "Jubilate in C", and the exuberant Easter favourite "Ye Choirs Of New Jerusalem". The Eucharist features English polyphonic works in Latin for Easter from William Byrd and John Tavener, together with Jean Langlais massive "Messe solennelle" which offers an interesting contrast to the very English work that has gone before and presents a challenge to the choir which the singers overcome with style under the assured direction of Geraint Bowen. As befitting this major Festival, Evensong features Herbert Howells' largest-scale setting of the Evening Canticles the St Paul's Service and the disc concludes with another Easter favourite: "Blessed Be The God And Father", with its beautiful treble solo "Love one another" written by Samuel Sebastian Wesley while he was organist of Hereford Cathedral and sung very well indeed by Harry Darwall-Smith. Thus there is a great deal to enjoy and appreciate.

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