Close Topic Options

Артист: The Choir of Westminster Cathedral Альбом: Peter Maxwell Davies - Sacred Choral Music, 2004 Издатель: Hyperion / CDA67454 Жанр: Classical Формат файла: EAC / APE / CUE / LOG Ссылка: CD Нахождение: Torrent

Peter Maxwell Davies (b.1934)

Sacred Choral Music


Recorded in Westminster Cathedral, London, on 7–10 July 2003

Robert Quinney - organ
Robert Houssart - organ

The Choir of Westminster Cathedral
Martin Baker - conductor



This new recording from Westminster Cathedral presents two of the most important new Mass settings of recent times. Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, recently confirmed by Buckingham Palace as the new Master of The Queen’s Music, has throughout his long composing career contributed several miniature sacred choral pieces to the repertory, but these new works represent his first foray into the heart of the liturgy. The Mass for full choir and two organs is based on two plainchants for Whitsun, and is very much a contemporary successor to those great works of the Renaissance with which this choir has cemented so enviable a reputation around the world. Missa parvula, by contrast, is in the mould of Britten’s Missa brevis and is for unison upper voices. Upfront simplicity recalls the world of Durufle, even of Solesmes, and we are reminded of Maxwell Davies’ long commitment to composing music suitable for children. Both Masses were composed for, and first performed by, The Choir of Westminster Cathedral.
Also included on this disc are the Two Latin Motets, ‘Dum complerentur’ and ‘Veni Sancte Spiritus’, composed to form part of the celebrations for Maxwell Davies’ seventieth birthday in 2004, and two extraordinary organ works again based on plainchant themes.

Throughout his long and distinguished career Sir Peter Maxwell Davies has contributed several miniature sacred pieces to the repertory but the two new settings of the Mass on this disc represent his first foray into the heart of Catholic liturgy. The "Missa Parvula", sung in unison by the upper voices and with a subtle organ accompaniment by Robert Quinney, has echoes of Britten's "Missa Brevis". The longer Mass for full choir and with Robert Houssart adding a second organ part is based on two plainchants for Whitsun and is particularly memorable in being a contemporary piece that has clear links back into the past. The choir seems as comfortable with Davies' work as it does with the great Masses of the Renaissance and Martin Baker gets some beautiful singing from the members. The concluding Latin motets and organ solos should not be considered as mere filler although, on first hearing, they do seem to be afterthoughts. Both organists are on top form and it is, of course, easy enough to rearrange the sequence on one's CD player.


Missa parvula for unison upper voices and organ
01. Kyrie
02. Gloria
03. Credo
04. Sanctus - Benedictus
05. Agnus Dei

Mass for full choir and two organs
06. Kyrie
07. Gloria
08. Credo
09. Sanctus - Benedictus
10. Agnus Dei

11. Veni Creator Spiritus for organ
12. Dum complerentur for unaccompanied full choir
13. Reliqui domum meum for organ
14. Veni Sancte Spiritusfor unaccompanied full choir


Total Time: 66'31

This post has been edited by kgkk on 15-07-2007, 12:13

Thanks a lot