THE FEAST OF ST PETER THE APOSTLE AT WESTMINSTER ABBEY

 

Westminster Abbey Choir / James O’Donnell

Robert Quinney organ

 

MATINS

1 MAURICE DURUFLÉ (1902–1986) Tu es Petrus Op 1 No 2 [0'58]

2 PHILIP RADCLIFFE (1905–1986) The Preces [1'17]

3 HENRY GEORGE LEY (1887–1962) Psalm 138 [2'41]

4 SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD (1852–1924) Te Deum [6'22]

5 Jubilate [3'17] SERVICE IN B FLAT, OP 10

6 PHILIP RADCLIFFE (1905–1986) The Responses [6'11]

 

EUCHARIST

WILLIAM BYRD (1539/40–1623) Mass for five voices

7 Kyrie [1'23] 8 Gloria [4'45]

9 Credo [8'47]

10 Sanctus [2'11]

11 Benedictus [1'25]

12 Agnus Dei [3'09]

13 GIOVANNI PIERLUIGI DA PALESTRINA (1525/6–1594) Tu es Petrus a 6 [3'32]

 

EVENSONG

14 WILLIAM CROTCH (1775–1847) Psalm 124 [2'00]

15 SIR CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD (1852–1924) Magnificat [3'30] br Nunc dimittis [3'38] SERVICE IN B FLAT, OP 10

16 SIR WILLIAM WALTON (1902–1983) The Twelve [10'50]

17 JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACH (1685–1750) arr. MARCEL DUPRÉ (1886–1971) Sinfonia from Cantata No 29 [4'12]

 

Another fascinating collection from Westminster Abbey, recreating a particular liturgical period.

 

This disc contains music one might hear if visiting the Abbey on its patronal feast, that of St Peter the Apostle, which falls on 29 June. The programme broadly follows the structure of the three major choral services of the Anglican tradition, all of which can in turn be traced back to the worship familiar in the pre-Reformation period when the Abbey was a Benedictine monastery: Matins (or Morning Prayer); Eucharist (Mass); and Evensong (Evening Prayer). The two principal musical elements are William Byrd’s Mass for five voices, and, linking the morning and evening Offices, four movements from Charles Villiers Stanford’s Service in B flat. Also featured is Walton’s choral masterpiece The Twelve.

 

The Abbey choir sings with its usual full-throated joy, expertly directed by James O’Donnell.

 

Hyperion Records CDA67770