WILLIAM MATHIAS (1934–1992)

Choral Music

 

1 Let the people praise thee, O God Op 87 1981 [5'15]

Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (‘Jesus Service’) Op 53 1970 [7'32]

2 Magnificat [4'12]

3 Nunc dimittis [3'06]

4 A Babe is Born Op 55 1971 [3'30]

5 In excelsis gloria 1954, revised 1991 [2'23]

6 Processional organ solo 1964 [3'19]

Missa brevis Op 64 1973 [19'07]

7 Kyrie [4'40]

8 Gloria [5'15]

9 Sanctus [2'12]

10 Benedictus [2'00]

11 Agnus Dei [4'36]

12 Ave verum corpus 1992 [4'29]

13 Carillon organ solo 1989 [6'15]

14 All wisdom is from the Lord Op 88 No 3 1982 [6'19]

15 Lift up your heads, O ye gates Op 44 No 2 1969 [2'12]

16 O nata lux No 3 from Rex gloriae Op 83 1980 [2'05]

17 Festival Te Deum Op 28 1964 [7'13]

18 O be joyful in the Lord (Jubilate Deo) Op 90 No 2 1983 [4'40]

 

Total Duration: 75'32

 

Jonathan Vaughn - organ

Wells Cathedral Choir / Matthew Owens

 

William Mathias’s ebullient, joyful choral writing, drawing on a variety of musical traditions, is immediately accessible and likeable whilst demonstrating an architectural sophistication that brings it into the top rank of twentieth-century liturgical music. He had a particular flair for brilliance, drama and display, which made his music highly suited to ceremonial and festive occasions; present too in his music is a sense of Celtic mysticism and deep spirituality which enhances such works as ‘All wisdom is from the Lord’ and ‘O nata lux’.

 

This disc includes a comprehensive selection of his works for choir and organ, spanning his wide-ranging musical career and manifold influences. It is performed by Wells Cathedral Choir—recently described in Gramophone magazine as ‘probably the finest English Cathedral choir at the moment’—whose delightfully full-throated, vibrant sound is the perfect vehicle for this repertoire.

 

Hyperion CDA67740