Search - Panufnik, Westminster Cathedral Choir, O'Donnell :: Westminster Mass

Panufnik, Westminster Cathedral Choir, O'Donnell
Westminster Mass
Genre: Classical

Track Listings (18) - Disc #1
1. Ave verum corpus
2. Doctrine of Wisdom, for chorus & organ
3. Westminster Mass: Kyrie
4. Westminster Mass: Gloria
5. Westminster Mass: Deus, Deus meus
6. Westminster Mass: Sanctus and Benedictus
7. Westminster Mass: Memorial Acclamation
8. Westminster Mass: Amen
9. Westminster Mass: Agnus Dei
10. Funeral Ikos, for chorus
11. Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici for chorus a cappella, Op. 66: Kyrie
12. Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici for chorus a cappella, Op. 66: Gloria
13. Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici for chorus a cappella, Op. 66: Credo
14. Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici for chorus a cappella, Op. 66: Sanctus
15. Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici for chorus a cappella, Op. 66: Benedictus
16. Missa in Honorem Sancti Dominici for chorus a cappella, Op. 66: Agnus Dei
17. The Beatitudes, for chorus & organ
18. Salve Regina, for chorus

CD Details

All Artists: Panufnik, Westminster Cathedral Choir, O'Donnell
Title: Westminster Mass
Members Wishing: 1
Total Copies: 0
Label: Elektra / Wea
Release Date: 2/15/2000
Genre: Classical
Styles: Opera & Classical Vocal, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 639842806923, 637862806923

Synopsis

Amazon.com

Despite the Westminster Mass's specific origin--it was commissioned in honor of Britain's Catholic leader, the late Cardinal Basil Hume--Roxanna Panufnik (b. 1968) has written her Mass with a view to having it performed in a variety of contexts. The vocal writing is therefore pitched deliberately within the limits of amateur choirs, and alternative orchestrations exist--for organ or harp accompaniment--allowing for flexibility in performance. As recorded here, it's an attractive and accessible work with easily digestible tunes that don't come across as facile or pall on repeated listening. Particularly striking is the celebratory Sanctus (the texts are in English) with its joyous repetition of Hosanna. The other lengthy work on the disc is Rubbra's Missa in honorem Sancti Dominici, a four-part a cappella setting written in 1948 that employs modern harmonies but simultaneously looks back over its shoulder at the choral works of Tallis and Byrd. None of the other pieces on the album are without interest, but undoubtedly the selling point is Panufnik's Mass, and it's that piece the listener will return to most often. The Westminster Cathedral choir, singing on home ground, are persuasively eloquent throughout. --Mark Walker

CD Reviews

Worthy farewell to a musical era

Mark Swinton | 02/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I use the above turn of phrase simply because this disc does indeed mark the end of an era. It is the last recording of the Westminster Cathedral Choir under the direction of James O'Donnell, now of Westminster Abbey (although I find it rather odd that it is under the Teldec label - usually, the Westminster Choir records for Hyperion!) O'Donnell, like his forebears Richard Terry and George Malcolm amongst others, has maintained the strong combination of ancient and modern music at the heart of worship in the Cathedral, and on this recording we see some of the finest examples of recent commissions for the choir (as well as some other contemporary gems). Some moments in the title work come across as perhaps a little 'cheesy', but on the whole it is stylish, distinctive and sensitively rendered. It certainly makes out Roxanna Panufnik to be a competent and thoughtful composer, although I'm not completely sure about her claims that it is approachable by amateur groups...The remainder of the disc is also beautifully executed, opening with a special re-arrangement of Colin Mawby's sentimental but effective "Ave Verum" and exploring a Mass by Edmund Rubbra as well as works commissioned from Herbert Howells ("Salve Regina," heart-wrenchingly written and performed) and William Mathias ("The Doctrine of Wisdom," which must surely be one of that composer's best liturgical works ever). It is also wonderful - indeed long-overdue! - to hear Arvo Part and John Tavener being sung by this choir: It would be hard to find a more technically flawless rendition of "The Beatitudes" or a more moving and gripping rendition of "Funeral Ikos" than those recorded here. Indeed, throughout the whole disc, O'Donnell's scholarly readings coupled with the distinctive sound of the choir make for a listening experience of the highest standard, and one worth purchasing for any or all of the works thereon.This CD is dedicated to the memory of Cardinal Basil Hulme, Archbishop of Westminster and tireless champion of the musical standards there. It is a fitting tribute, and I am sure that the exceptional leadership of James O'Donnell will be much missed at Westminster Cathedral."