Richard Hanlon - Recording of the year 2019

“From a musician born in York to one who has very sadly just passed away there (touchingly, during the closing moments of St Cecilia’s Day, the night before last as I write these words). I refer to the inspirational director of King’s College Choir, Sir Stephen Cleobury, who had only retired from that role a couple of months ago. Apart from his magnificent contributions over decades to King’s College’s renowned Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Sir Stephen was instrumental in the development of King’s College’s own record label, and one of his final appearances on disc was on an exceptional twofer devoted to the music of Herbert Howells. He leads glowing accounts of the Te Deum and Magnificat from Howells’ signature Collegium Regale sequence, as well as a beautifully turned reading of the English Mass, one of the composer’s most overlooked big works. There are also immaculate performances of three of Howells’ organ pieces, not least the moving Rhapsody No 3. Quite apart from marking Sir Stephen’s unparalleled contribution to King’s College life, the set acts as a reminder of Howells’ still underappreciated orchestral music, and is topped off by Guy Johnston’s suave account of the Cello Concerto, a substantial work whose reconstruction has only been completed in the last few years. Thus the set is a desirable conspectus of familiar and rare Howells, and it has rarely been far from my CD player since its release.”

Nominee in Assorted Programs award category

“… A thoughtfully assembled collection of familiar and unfamiliar Howells, beautifully captured in King’s Chapel, and a marvellous celebration of Cleobury’s contribution to the musical life of the College.” *****

“…It’s altogether a fine collection of unfamiliar music.” ****

“…Superb, then: this is an ideal Howells starter pack, beautifully packaged and produced.”

“… Altogether we experience a very emotional and exciting performance.” *****

“… works from all creative phases and styles provides a good overview of the work of Herbert Howells. Well-established English musicians know how to raise this treasure with skillful and in-depth performances.” ****

“… There’s nothing remotely uncertain about the singing here, nor Cleobury’s … sure grasp of the music’s emotional intensity. King’s Voices join the regular scholars and choristers for the Te Deum (deftly orchestrated by Howells from the organ original and complete with a new festive introduction); it works magnificently (timpani brilliantly effective at climatic moments) … The Magnificat (this is the premiere recording of John Rutter’s scoring) is no less grandly or imaginatively conceived; Cleobury and his forces rise splendidly to the occasion, and he is also a fine exponent of the organ works. The recorded sound is excellent and there are informative booklet notes …” *****

“My first choice for Howells’ An English Mass and the Cello Concerto; it should boost appreciation of Howells’ music. “