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Westminster Cathedral Choir

 Westminster Cathedral Choir

Mixed Choral Chorus from London, UK, England.

Westminster Cathedral Choir is acclaimed as one of the world's great choirs. Since its foundation in 1903 it has occupied a unique and enviable position at the forefront of English church music, not least because of the ground-breaking work of its first Master of Music, Richard Terry, who revived the great works of the English and continental Renaissance composers. The choir's fame grew under Terry as it presented this forgotten music, revolutionising attitudes to the repertoire. Innovation continued under George Malcolm who pioneered the development of the choir's sound along continental lines, resulting in a choir that was truly revolutionary in both what and how it sang. The choir continues these traditions under its present Master of Music, Martin Baker, and it remains the only Catholic Cathedral choir in the world to sing daily Mass and Vespers. More recent holders of the post have included Colin Mawby, Stephen Cleobury, David Hill and James O'Donnell.

The choir's reputation is ever-expanding and it continues to reach new audiences through its series of acclaimed recordings on the Hyperion label, the two most recent being the Palestrina Lamentations and a sequence of music from Advent to Epiphany featuring music written specially for the choir. In 1998 the choir was awarded the Gramophone Awards for 'Best Choral Recording of the Year' and 'Record of the Year' for the performance of Frank Martin's Messe and Pizzetti's Requiem.

The choir has a history of commissioning and performing new music, famous examples being Britten's Missa brevis for boys' voices, the Mass in G minor by Vaughan Williams and compositions by Wood, Holst and Howells. Within the last decade the choir has commissioned new Masses from James MacMillan, Peter Maxwell Davies, Judith Bingham, John Tavener, Matthew Martin and Stephen Hough, all of which were first performed in the context of the regular liturgies at Westminster Cathedral.

Westminster Cathedral Choir features frequently on radio and television. When its busy liturgical schedule permits it takes its music further afield. In addition to regular concerts around the UK, recent tours have included Hungary, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the USA.

Discography

Displaying 1-2 of 2 items.


Westminster Cathedral Choir : Portuguese Polyphony : 1 CD : James ODonnell :  : 55229

Westminster Cathedral Choir : Portuguese Polyphony

Review: 'Delectable though this music is, it needs performers who can do it justice, and James O'Donnell and his choir do that and then some. Whether depicting a soul thirsting for the Lord's rest, or giving thanks for salvation, the smooth trebles soar into the rafters of Westminster. This is a CD that brings the listener one step closer to heaven' (BBC Online)

Songlist: Non mortui, Sitivit anima mea, Muiler quae erat, Tulerunt lapides, Nos autem glriari, Responsory I, Lectio II, Responsory II, Lectio III, Panis angelicus, Hodie nobis, O magnum mysterium, Beata viscera Mariae, Ave Maria, Magnificat, Sanctissimi quinque martires, Alma redemptoris mater

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8999c | 1 CD | $13.95 Early Music CDs


Westminster Cathedral Choir : Masterpieces of Mexican Polyphony : 1 CD : James O' Donnell :  : 66330

Westminster Cathedral Choir : Masterpieces of Mexican Polyphony

Review: One of England's top choirs, directed by James O"Donnell, have recorded here excellent examples of the most interesting choral works to come from the fascinating music of 16th and 17th century Mexico. Pailla's work for double choir along with many peices for 4 voices makes for fine examples of the period.

Songlist: Salve Regina, Versicle and Response: Deus in adiutorium, Psalm for None: Mirabilia testimonium, Lamentation for Maundy Thursday, Alleluia: Die nobis, Maria, Magnificat Quarti Toni, Salve Regina, O Sacrum Convivium

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8107c | 1 CD | $18.98 Latin American Choral


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