ST JOHN’S MAGNIFICAT
THE CHOIR OF ST JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE

This recording is the start of a new exclusive recording contract between Chandos and the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge under their music director Andrew Nethsingha.

This first disc introduces the Choir singing music by Herbert Howells. There are two settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimitis, one of which was written for St. John’s during the time Howells was Acting Organist during World War 2. The other was written for Gloucester Cathedral in Howells’ native county. Andrew Nethsingha comments “We are delighted to be embarking on a partnership with such an excellent label as Chandos. We have chosen to start with a disc of Howells’ music – Herbert Howells was closely associated with St John’s College for several decades. Two major works written for the St John’s Choir, including “Sequence for St Michael” will feature on the CD. ‘By the Waters of Babylon’, is a deeply moving psalm setting for baritone, violin, cello and organ, will also be another highlight of the disc.” Previously on Chandos the Choir of St John’s recorded a disc of Christmas Carols, the Mozart Requiem and works by Gibbons and Tallis. Check out the website for details.

This recording heralds the beginning of an exclusive recording contract between Chandos and the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge. All performances will be conducted by Andrew Nethsingha, the Choir’s Director of Music since 2007.
The disc of choral music by Herbert Howells includes two settings of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis: one setting was written for St John’s, where Howells was Acting Organist during World War II; the other for Gloucester Cathedral in the composer’s native county.
Andrew Nethsingha said, “We are delighted to be embarking on a partnership with such an excellent label as Chandos. With them, we will release a wide variety of repertoire. We have chosen to start with a disc of Howells’ music – Herbert Howells was closely associated with St John’s College for several decades. Two major works written for the St John’s Choir, including “Sequence for St Michael” will feature on the CD. The recording of “By the waters of Babylon”, a deeply moving psalm setting for baritone, violin, cello and organ will be another highlight of the disc.”
This is St John’s College Choir’s first long-term contract with Chandos. However, it has already made a number of recordings for the label, including Mozart’s Requiem and works by Charpentier and Poulenc (conducted by George Guest) and music by Tallis and Gibbons (conducted by Christopher Robinson).