Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Throughout his long and distinguished career Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has contributed several miniature sacred pieces to the repertory but the two new settings of the Mass on this disc represent his first foray into the heart of Catholic liturgy. The "Missa Parvula", sung in unison by the upper voices and with a subtle organ accompaniment by Robert Quinney, has echoes of Britten's "Missa Brevis". The longer Mass for full choir and with Robert Houssart adding a second organ part is based on two plainchants for Whitsun and is particularly memorable in being a contemporary piece that has clear links back into the past. The choir seems as comfortable with Davies' work as it does with the great Masses of the Renaissance and Martin Baker gets some beautiful singing from the members. The concluding Latin motets and organ solos should not be considered as mere filler although, on first hearing, they do seem to be afterthoughts. Both organists are on top form and it is, of course, easy enough to rearrange the sequence on one's CD player.

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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