[Cover graphic]

Compact Disc CDA67603

£13.99

The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge is experiencing another vintage year of musical and vocal excellence. In this latest CD for Hyperion, its trademark sound, immaculate yet energetic and joyful, is employed in the service of a fascinating selection of sacred choral works from the twentieth century.

Joseph Jongen brought his vast array of musical influences to the European sacred music tradition, creating works of unrestrained lyrical and melodic power which nevertheless illustrate the liturgical texts with reverence. Jongen’s Messe en l’honneur du Saint-Sacrement is a major work on a large scale, richly contrapuntal, interwoven throughout with plainsong melodies expertly manipulated, harmonically vivid and original. It is scored for brass and organ accompaniment reminiscent of Gabrieli and its sumptuous texture is perfectly captured here in the famous resonant acoustic of the chapel. Flor Peeters’ Missa Festiva is a similarly vibrant and enjoyable work.

Also recorded here, demonstrating the considerable individual talents of St John’s soloists, are three of Jongen’s sacred solo motets, each written for specific personal occasions, sensitively scored and imbued with emotional sincerity.

Recorded in St John’s College Chapel, Cambridge, on 10–12 July 2006
Recording Engineer
JULIAN MILLARD
Recording Producer
MARK BROWN
Front Picture Research
RICHARD HOWARD
Booklet Editor
TIM PARRY
Executive Producer
SIMON PERRY
© Hyperion Records Ltd, London, MMVII

Duration: 72'50
DDD
Front illustration: La Gaine by Emile Fabry (1865–1966)

JOSEPH JONGEN (1873–1953)
FLOR PEETERS (1903-1986)

Masses

CHOIR OF ST JOHN'S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE
PAUL PROVOST organ
LONDON CITY BRASS
DAVID HILL Master of Music

Contents:

    Joseph Jongen (1873–1953)

    Messe en l’honneur du Saint-Sacrement Op 130 (1945–8)   [34'06]
    for choir, organ and brass

  1. Kyrie   [4'51]
  2. Gloria  PETER MORTON cantor [7'54]
  3. Credo  PETER MORTON cantor [8'27]
  4. Sanctus   [2'31]
  5. Benedictus  QUINTIN BEER treble, RICHARD WILBERFORCE alto, PETER MORTON tenor, GARETH JOHN bass [4'15]
  6. Agnus Dei   [5'40]

  7. Deus Abraham Motet pour une messe de mariage W150 (1909)   [3'21]
    for solo tenor (PETER MORTON), violin (THOMAS GOULD) and organ

  8. Pie Jesu No 1 of Deux motets W71 (1895)   [2'49]
    for solo treble (ALEXANDER ROBARTS) and organ

  9. Quid sum miser? No 1 of Trois motets W99 (1899)   [4'43]
    for solo bass (GARETH JOHN), violin (THOMAS GOULD) and organ

     
    Flor Peeters (1903–1986)

    Missa Festiva Op 62 (1947)   [27'31]
    for choir and organ

  10. Kyrie   [4'40]
  11. Gloria  ROBERT SHORTER cantor [4'18]
  12. Credo  ROBERT SHORTER cantor [8'13]
  13. Sanctus   [2'49]
  14. Benedictus   [2'38]
  15. Agnus Dei   [4'30]
Complete Booklet

Sleeve Notes in English

DIAPASON D'OR

'Effective and forceful performances … I particularly enjoyed the more intimate textures at the end of the Peeters' Agnus Dei. The few extra solo items, featuring Tom Gould on the violin, are charming too' (BBC Music Magazine)

'David Hill is to be congratulated for exploring this unfamiliar repertoire and then presenting it in such confident performances' (International Record Review)

'This is a wonderful disc bringing a collection of rarely heard, let alone recorded, devotional works to light … [Messe en l'honneur du Saint-Sacrement] is an engaging work … subtle both in the strains of variety within and the expressive power the music adds to the text … Jongen's motet on 1895, Pie Jesu, shows treble Alexander Robarts on angelic form set against the organ … The Choir of St John's College Cambridge under David Hill are on terrific form. London City Brass know how to bring off a good flourish when they see one, while organist Paul Provost works tirelessly throughout to provide the backbone of musical thought on a disc much worth your while' (Organ Magazine)

'The choir is in fine fettle here: the sound is focused and well integrated top to bottom and it can bring forth huge climaxes and truly soft passagework equally well. With such forces at his disposal, Hill can bring out the considerable nuances in the piece … I cannot imagine it being better done than here.' (Fanfare, USA)

'L'idée était également excellente de la part du label anglais Hyperion d'intercaler entre les deux Messes, en une sorte d'intermède, trois beaux Motets de jeunesse de Jongen, qui complètent de manière adéquate et séduisante le portrait du compositeur liégeois le plus important' (anaclase.com)

Home | About Hyperion | Catalogue | News | Artists | Distributors