St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir, James Thomas - This Holy Temple

Published Wednesday 11th March 2009
St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir, James Thomas - This Holy Temple
St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir, James Thomas - This Holy Temple

STYLE: Choral
RATING 6 6 6 6 6 6
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 79125-
LABEL: Regent REGCD295
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

St Edmundsbury Cathedral Choir is traditional, in the sense that it is made up of male voices only, but unusual in having no choir school, so all involved have to show a laudable dedication to attend rehearsals and the regular services of a busy cathedral. The cathedral authorities have a commendable desire to support the choir by commissioning new material and much of the 54 minutes of this recording is dedicated to music written for and about the cathedral and includes several world premiere recordings. "Ecce Sacerdos Magnus" ("Behold A Great Priest") was composed by the choir's director of music, James Thomas, to mark the retirement of Richard Lewis as Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich in 2007. "O Mundi Pater Unice" ("O Thou, Only Father Of The Universe") is also by James Thomas and was written for the installation and induction of Neil Collings as Dean of St Edmundsbury in 2006. Judith Bingham has written "Four Motets From The Ivory Tree". This is based on a tapestry commissioned by the Dean and Chapter to celebrate the completion of the cathedral's central tower in 2005. "Declare The Wonders" was composed by Roxanna Panufnik to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the foundation of Jamestown, Virginia by Bartholomew Gosnold of Suffolk. Also written for the dedication of the new cathedral tower was "Bless, O God Most High", again by James Thomas, who also gives us "Sacerdos Et Pontifex" ("Priest And Bishop"), the priest and bishop in question being Nigel Stock, 10th Bishop of St Edmundsbury. Still by Thomas but this time composed for Chichester Cathedral is a short "Morning Service" and then we move further from home with a Bulgarian hymn by Dobri Hristov that the Choir learned on tour. The finale is two pieces that may be familiar: "God Is Gone Up" by Gerald Finzi and "God Be In My Head" by John Rutter. So an interesting programme. What about the performance? This is not so easy to judge although David Humphreys on the organ is in good form. At first I suspected that the choir was under-rehearsed but on a second listen I started to think they are trying too hard. Much of the music is difficult and, frankly, I do not think they cope with all the demands. I still think it is worth hearing, as new choral music of this calibre is hard to find, but I cannot give an unreserved recommendation as the choir does not always rise to the occasion.

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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