Amazon.co.uk Review: One of the most gifted composers of his generation, Herbert Howells (1892-1983) once observed how "all through my life I've had this strange feeling that I somehow belonged to the Tudor period"; you can hear something of this deep-rooted quality in his sublime Christmas anthem of 1940, Long, Long Ago. If the incredibly moving motet Take Him, Earth, For Cherishing (written in 1963 for JFK's memorial service) remains probably the best-known piece here, the most substantial is surely the intensely personal Requiem (composed in 1933, but only published 48 years later), material from which resurfaces in Howells's 1938 choral masterpiece Hymnus Paradisi. Christopher Robinson and his exemplary St. John's forces lend equally sympathetic advocacy to the thrillingly sumptuous Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis written for St. Paul's Cathedral and the 1956 Communion Service based on material from the unforgettable 1943 Collegium Regale service that Howells wrote for King's College, Cambridge. Throw in fine performances by Iain Farrington of the Rhapsody No. 3 and Paean for organ (an instrument of which Howells was an absolute master) and you have a winner of an anthology, extremely well recorded. --Andrew Achenbach
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - a truly beautiful and timeless gem of choral and organ repertoire
This is surely the finest recording of Howells' beautiful Requiem, which was originally written for Kings' College Cambridge, and not in memory of his son, Michael, as previously thought (Michael's memorial is that other great Howells work, "Hymnus Paridisi"). Like Brahms, Howells exchanged the text of the traditional Latin "Missa Defunctis" for a sequence of Psalms and other sacred texts, including the "Salvator Mundi" in English, the 23rd psalm, and the Introit from the Requiem Mass, amongst others. ... Read More
Rating: - Beautiful music
Much to my loss, I have come (relatively) late to English Choral music; it really is wonderful. Listen to the "glory be" after the magnificat and nunc dimittis, its ecstatic soaring music, as religious music should be. The music reminds me of the final trio in Der Rosenkavalier by Richard Strauss. And yet the music could not be more different. Much of this music is very gentle and contemplative. A "must" for those interested in modern English choral music.
Rating: - Howells, master of 20th century church music
Herbert Howells music is a must for all interested in choir church music. His quiet and complex harmonies hit those special nerves that make you shiver in delight! I strongly recommend his music to all.
His Requiem my favourite work on this disc. I am not overly pleased at the low tempo on this recording, but it is still immensely enjoyable.
Rating: - Not as good as the vasari singers recording.
I felt that this performance, whilst being highly accurate, lacked the subtle emotional quality and elasticity of the recording by the Vasari singers. It is still a very decent recording, but if you are looking for just the requiem, Vasari is the one to go for. Dickon Kelly
Rating: - Amazing
This recording is absolutely sublime - a must for anybody even remotely interested in English choral music. I bought it purely for the track "like as the hart," which has long been my favourite anthem, and I was not disappointed by the St. John's performance of it. However, the highlight of this CD for me is the singing of psalm 121; I have never heard it sung like this before. It is the most awe-inspiring piece and the voice of the baritone singing it is majestic. It would be worth ten times the price ... Read More
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