Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is a re-issue of a collection first recorded in the Great Hall of University College School, London, in 1988. We start with Poulenc’s well known “Gloria” from 1959 and travel back in time until we reach his “Four Penitential Motets” of 1938-39. With John Rutter taking the conductor's baton it should come as no surprise to find a lovely conclusion in “Four Christmas Motets” (1951–52). Rutter’s helpful notes set the pieces into their context and the texts (in Latin and French) are provided, together with a translation. The performances of both choir and Sinfonia are more than adequate and the soprano soloist, Donna Deam, is outstanding.

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