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A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 02/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"CREATIVE CONDUCTORS THROUGH THE YEARS CAN BE CREDITED WITH MUCH OF THE ONGOING EXCELLENCE OF THE KING'S CHOIRS.

There are two conductors on this disc: Sir David Willcocks who was director from 1957-73, recorded these songs in 1970. There are seventeen in all and they are performed skillfully as per usual; they also include several of his own arrangements. Some of what I consider to be especially interesting are: 'The Truth from Above'arr. Vaughan Williams- 'How Far is it to Bethlehem?' arr. Willcocks- 'The Angels and the Shepherds' arr.C.H.Trevor and a most attractive arrangement of 'Gabriel's Message' by Willcocks. All in all an interesting selection.



Sir Philip Ledger was music director from 1973-1982, at which point Stephen Cleobury, the present director took over. Ledger recorded his eight selections on this disc in 1975, and included such familiar ones like 'Lulla, thou little tiny child', 'O come all ye faithful'(both of these include Ledger's own descants) BUT there is a selection entitled 'Alleluya, a new work is come on hand'and it is WONDERFUL to hear and exciting and sung with such fervor that I had to play it several times just to enjoy the refreshing sound. It is a 15th Century English melody redone by Peter Wishart; worth buying this record, at least to my thinking.



There is very little difference between the sounds of both choirs, both have: clear diction, smooth entrances and exits to phrases, balance of parts well articulated, and the voices of the boy sopranos soaring up to those high notes easily, male altos lush and resonant, tenors vibrant and basses light and clear-sounding.



There will no doubt be several of these selections you have already in your King's College Choir library,but the few that are not (and there will be some) make this disc special!"