THE CHOIR OF CHRIST'S HOSPITAL: MUSIC FOR THE FESTIVE YEAR
Directed by Peter Allwood
CARLTON CLASSICS (30366-00852) 73m56s

This is a compilation of music centred upon the College Chapel at Christ's Hospital – an organisation long known for its excellent music making. The CD is divided into five sections: Founder's Day; Remembrance Sunday; Lent, Easter and the Spital Sermon; Speech Day; the Leaving Service. There are hymns, responses, psalms, settings, anthems and organ pieces. Some of the music – as for example the opening Foundation Hymn and the pieces by C.S. Lang – is specific to the Hospital; some is well known – such as Bruckner's Locus iste or the Walford Davies I will lift up mine eyes. There are times when the young lower voices sound less than fully formed, but that is a minor criticism in a recording worth acquiring if you enjoy the English church music tradition, as rendered and maintained by a famous public school with the best resources available, fully exploited. DB