Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Richard Lloyd was born in Cheshire in 1933 and became successively assistant organist at Salisbury Cathedral then organist at Hereford and Durham Cathedrals. This recording is a personal collection selected and annotated by the organist/composer, representing a number of favourite compositions written over the last 60 years, many of which have never been recorded before. A wide range of styles are included, from a simple two-part carol written for a school choir, to demanding a cappella works. Lloyd is firmly rooted in the great tradition of church music that reaches back to Tallis and Byrd, through Wesley, Wood and Stanford to Bairstow, Darke and his greatest influence, Herbert Howells. The Bede Singers was formed in 2005 to record the first album of Lloyd's music and the subsequent wait for a follow-up has been too long. (By the way, there is no overlap between the two collections and nine of the 15 works on 'Illumine Me' are first recordings.) The singers are former members of Durham Cathedral Choir, augmented by a number of other professionals. They are directed by renowned conductor David Hill, who was assistant to Richard Lloyd at Durham Cathedral. The compositions on this CD are all enjoyable to hear and one we seem to be equally enjoyable to sing. A quote in the CD booklet sums it up well: "Music from the heart, to the heart." This cross-section of Lloyd's 60 year career takes us from "Adoro Te Devote" from 1954 to "Keep Me, O Christ" from 2014. The CD booklet contains all the texts. Some are well known, including the "Magnificat" and "Nunc Dimitis" from The Lichfield Service of 2008 and Lloyd's setting of the traditional "I Wonder As I Wander" while there are others that are new - or at least new to me. All are illuminated by the composer's personal comments that give a little background to each piece and helped to set them in context. Everything is well sung with appropriate accompaniment from Ian Shaw or Daniel Hyde on the organ. Listeners who appreciate traditional Anglican choral music will certainly enjoy making Richard Lloyd's better acquaintance.

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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