Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This collection was issued in time to commemorate the centenary of the birth of the composer and includes his most important sacred works including “A Festival Anthem”, the “Missa Brevis” and “Three Latin Motets”. The opening piece, “Crux Fidelis” is the only one not readily available elsewhere. Berkeley was a devout Roman Catholic and his choral music has been welcomed into the Anglican repertoire as well. As a composer he is difficult to classify. Perhaps the closest comparison is with his friend Francis Poulenc and his mentor Benjamin Britten shares some affinities. Christopher Robinson leads the Choir of St John's College through some challenging material and, as ever, the bargain price of all Naxos releases makes this worth investigating.

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