David Hill

Review: David Hill's final recording with St John's features music by Edward Bairstow. The diverse programme includes well known pieces such as Let all mortal flesh and Jesu the very thought of thee. The release sees the debut recording of Five Poems of the Spirit, for which the Choir were joined by internationally acclaimed baritone Roderick Williams and the Britten Sinfonia.

Songlist: Jesu, the very thought of thee, Blessed city, heavenly Salem, Magnificat (Evening Service in D), Nunc Dimittis (Evening Service in D), Lord, Thou hast been our refuge, If the Lord had not helped me, Let all mortal flesh keep silence (Evening Service in G), Magnificat (Evening Service in G), Nunc Dimittis (Evening Service in G), Come, lovely Name, O Lord, in me there lieth naught, Praise, Purse and Scrip, L'Envoy, Save us, O Lord

Review: Nowhere is Mendelssohn's creative psyche more poignantly exposed than in his choral works. His desire to create music rewarding for performers and listeners alike is everywhere apparent, as is his always mellifluous and gracious vocal writing. Most endearing of all are Mendelssohn's worlds of dreamlike contentment, which cocoon the listener in a web of enchanted idealism. Hor mein Bitten (Hear my prayer) is the most popular of his small-scale choral works and was composed during Mendelssohn's eighth visit to England in 1844, just before he began putting the finishing touches to his violin concerto. The piece conjures up the feelings of peace and contentment in the flowing melodic lines of the inimitable O for the wings of a dove, which is also on this disc in its famous English adaptation. All of these sacred works are radiantly performed by The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge under David Hill in the first of a new series of recordings on the Hyperion label.

Songlist: Aus Tiefer Not, Ave Maria, Mitten Wir Im Leben Sind, Hor Mein Bitten, Warum Toben Die Harden, Richte Mich Gott, Zum Abendsegen, Kyrie Eleison, Helig Helig Ist Gott Der Herr Zebaoth, Ehre Sei Gott in Der Hohe, Verleih Uns Frieden, O For The Wings

Review: David Hill conducts Winchester Cathedral Choir in a programme of sacred works. Settings by John Tavener include "Song for Athene", movingly sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales, and "As one who has slept", written for Winchester Cathedral in 1996. Arvo Part's "Magnificat" is serene and deceptively simple, while an earlier and no less anxious and questioning age is represented by contemplative settings from Thomas Tallis and Victoria. Well recorded, a low price and all a cappella.

Songlist: Agnus Dei, Dominus illuminatio, Hail, gladdening light, Ave verum, Nunc Dimittis, As one who has slept, Tota puchra es, op.10 no.2, Ubi caritas, op.10 no.1, O nata luc de lumine, Magnificat, Song for Athene, Tantum ergo, op.10 no.4, T es Petrus, op.10 no.3, O Sacrum Convivium, Salve Regina, Exultate Deo

Review: Whatever kind of choir you direct, whether it is a large professional body or small ad hoc group, this book will be invaluable in developing your own training skills, giving you the confidence to bring out the very best in your singers. Many aspects of choir training are covered, including: warm-ups and vocal exercises, the physiology of singing, an illustrated section on beating patterns, conducting techniques, group dynamics and psychology, preparation of rehearsals and music.

Songlist: Introduction, The Approach, The Singers and the Singing, The Voice, The Alchemy of Singing, Mechanics of the Voice, The Registers within the larynx, The Psychology of Singing, The Choir Director, Conducting: Role and Techniques, Use of the Body, Conducting Language, The Rehearsal, Warming-up, Warming-up Exercises, Voice Production and Projection Excercises

Review: Noel 2 is an exciting collection of Advent, Christmas and Epiphany music for mixed voice choirs, from the easy to learn to the more challenging and unconventional. The contents range from the Renaissance to the present: from Bach and Sweelinck, familiar settings of traditional and lesser known carols through the ages to Howells and Leighton and works by today's composers include Richard Rodney Bennett, Eric Whitacre, John Tavener, Tarik O'Regan and Richard Allain. Among the 43 anthems, mixed voice choirs of all levels will find new arrangements of favorite carols, hymns with new descants, as well as stimulating original works for the Christmas season.

Songlist: Ubers Gebirg Maria Geht, Adam Lay Y Bounden, Angelus ad Virginem, Away In A Manger, Bethlehem Down, Coventry Carol, Ding Dong! Merrily on High, E'en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come, Gallery Carol, Gaudete!, Gloria, Dei Sir Gesungen, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, Hodie Christus Natus Est, I Wonder As I Wander, I Wonder As I Wander, In Dulci Jubilo, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree, Lasset Uns Frohlocken, Long, Long Ago, Love Came Down At Christmas, Lullay My Liking, Lux Aurumque, 'O' Antiphon, O Come, All Ye Faithful, O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, O Jesulein, Of A Rose, Once In Royal David's City, Puer Nobis, Resonet In Laudibus, Riu, Riu, Chiu, Rocking, Silent Night, Holy Night, St. Joseph's Carol, The Christ-Child Lay, The First Nowell, The Swallow And The Bells, This I Have Done For My True Love, Threshold Of Night, Torches, Venite, Gaudete!, What Sweeter Music, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night