Classical Music: Orchestral Anthems Volume 2

Orchestral Anthems Vol. 2

Elgar Light out of Darkness from The Light of Life in G Major, Op. 29; Stanford Morning, Evening and Communion Service in A Major, Op. 12; Bairstow Lord, thou hast been our Refuge*; Vaughan Williams 3 Preludes Founded on Welsh Hymn Tunes: III. Rhosymedre (Arr. for Orchestra by Arnold Foster); SS Wesley Ascribe unto the Lord;* Ireland Greater Love Hath No Man; Walton The Twelve.
*premiere recordings in orchestral version

Choir of Merton College Oxford, Britten Sinfonia
Aine Smith soprano, Florian Stortz bass
Benjamin Nicholas

Delphian DCD34351
Due for release 30th May
https://www.delphianrecords.com/

Benjamin Nicholas has done it again, convincingly demonstrating the merit of orchestrated anthems from the English choral tradition. This is the second collaboration between the Choir of Merton College, Oxford, and the Britten Sinfonia, and it's a wonderful pairing. There is so much sublime beauty on this disc that will transport the listener to ethereal heights.

I'm particularly grateful to Nicholas for keeping alive some of the outstanding anthems from the 19th and 20th centuries that some cathedral choirs have regrettably sidelined. Full marks for choosing some of the finest repertoire from the wealth of sacred works; certainly a bonus.

The Delphian team has masterfully recorded these fine compositions, ensuring the sound is well-balanced. The choir dazzles with stupendous singing, and the Britten Sinfonia is outstanding, providing accompaniments that are perfect orchestral cushions, and it is wonderful to hear the different sound world from the otherwise standard organ. Bairstow's lovely Lord, Thou Hast Been Our Refuge' is an example of how the different instruments add another dimension.

The choir is on magnificent form and begins with Elgar's terrific Light out of Darkness, although I would have liked more drama on the sforzando on the second 'light' – the benchmark for this is Barry Rose and the Choir of St Albans Cathedral in their A Crown of Light recording.

The original 1880 performance of Stanford in A showcases its symphonic side, particularly in the masterful and eloquently scored Nunc dimittis.

Throughout, Benjamin Nicholas's pedigree as someone steeped in the English choral tradition shines through, and his understanding of the texts and music enables the performers to empathetically present the music for the benefit of the listener. Ascribe unto the Lord also has a kaleidoscope of colour, as the entire ensemble brings out the richness of the harmony with a rhythmical bounce – utterly delightful.

A thrilling and energising performance is found in Walton's The Twelve, where the orchestral parts underlay the words perfectly, capturing the dramatic elements. Typical Walton, full of rhythmic vitality. Even Ireland's Greater Love has moments of excitement and expressive sensitivity.

The Britten Sinfonia gets a moment on its own to perform RVW's lovely miniature Rhosymedre.

Nicholas' choir has superb tone, ensemble and precision, the words delivered with clarity. The album is a sumptuous and a ravishing new release showcasing the English choral tradition at its finest. Anyone who loves church music will savour and be uplifted by the Merton sound— it is quite simply outstanding, a true coup de maître.