Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is a well programmed programme, played and sung to high standard and although much of the content is obscure the total represents a significant contribution to the catalogue of European choral music. The centrepiece is César Franck's beloved "Panis Angelicus" with the Lichfield Choir Trebles in fine voice and a lovely violin solo from Alexander Laing. The significance of this work is that Franck was the French Romantic "father" to the two main Belgian composers featured on this CD: Joseph Jongen (1873-1953) and Flor Peeters (1903-1986). Our opener is the first recording by an English choir of Jongen's magnificent large scale Mass (Opus 130) with the popular Fine Arts Brass Ensemble adding greatly to the grandeur. This is followed by an organ solo, again by Jongen, the "Chant de May," expertly played by Philip Scriven. Then, after "Panis Angelicus" we turn to Flor Peeters, firstly through another organ solo, an Aria (Opus 51) and then Peeter's "Missa Festiva" (Opus 62). Recommended.

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