034571176413

Leighton: The World's Desire & Other Choral Works

Matthew Owens: Wells Cathedral Choir

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Format: CD

Cat No: CDA67641

Release Date:  01 May 2008

Label:  Hyperion Records Ltd

Packaging Type:  Jewel Case

No of Units:  1

Barcode:  034571176413

Genres:  Classical  Choral  

  • Description

    Kenneth Leighton’s music is at the heart of English Cathedral repertoire, and demonstrates the composer’s happy absorption in this milieu from an early age. This disc from Wells Cathedral includes some first recordings of his major works in impeccable, lasting performances.
    The majestic Sequence for All Saints is a marvellously consolatory work which is cast in a continuous span of five sections. The use of a congregational hymn at the end makes the music a seamless and integral part of worship. The recording of The World’s Desire is the work’s first. This extensive work arose from a commission in which Leighton was requested to write a work that reflected facets of both the Western and Eastern liturgy relating to the Feast of the Epiphany. In the Epiphany story, the Western liturgy places a stronger emphasis on Christ’s divinity as manifested at his baptism in the river Jordan. By comparison the Orthodox liturgy focuses on St John’s image of the Epiphany being ‘the day of light’ with Christ portrayed as ‘the light of men’. This dichotomy presented a particular challenge to Leighton and the result is a stirring, triumphant work which combines the traditions of the Anglican and Russian Orthodox liturgies to great effect.
    Wells Cathedral has maintained a choral tradition virtually unbroken for over 800 years. Hyperion’s engineers have here captured the glorious singing of the choir in the matchless acoustic of the cathedral.

  • Tracklisting

      Disc 1

      Side 1

      • 1. Sequence for All Saints, Op. 75: Introit, 'Gaudeamus. Rejoice we all and praise the Lord'
      • 2. Sequence for All Saints, Op. 75: Gradual, 'O fear the Lord, all ye saints of his'
      • 3. Sequence for All Saints, Op. 75: Offertory, 'O God, wonderful art thou in thy holy places'
      • 4. Sequence for All Saints, Op. 75: Communion, 'The souls of the righteous are in the hand of God'
      • 5. Sequence for All Saints, Op. 75: Finale, 'Gaudeamus. Rejoice in the Lord, O ye righteous'
      • 6. Rockingham
      • 7. O God, enfold me in the sun
      • 8. Venite
      • 9. Te Deum laudamus
      • 10. Jubilate Deo 'O be joyful in the Lord'
      • 11. The World's Desire (A Sequence for Epiphany), Op. 91: Part 1, 'Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem'
      • 12. The World's Desire (A Sequence for Epiphany), Op. 91: Part 1, 'Bright babe, whose awful beauties mak
      • 13. The World's Desire (A Sequence for Epiphany), Op. 91: Part 2, 'The Christ-child lay on Mary's lap'
      • 14. The World's Desire (A Sequence for Epiphany), Op. 91: Part 2, 'Behold, I send my messenger'
      • 15. The World's Desire (A Sequence for Epiphany), Op. 91: Part 2, 'Today the grace of the spirit'