£14.50 £12.08 Ex vat
The Chapel Choir of Selwyn College, Cambridge
Katherine Mann soprano | Ben Davies baritone | Adam Field organ
directed by Sarah MacDonald
Description
Jonathan Bielby MBE is Organist Emeritus of Wakefield Cathedral, where he was Organist and Director of Music for forty years from 1970 to 2010. As a composer Jonathan Bielby has written mainly for organ and voices, and this album brings together a selection of his recent sacred choral compositions. The major work is ‘Seven Last Words from the Cross’ which explores the Crucifixion story from the point of view of St Mary Magdalene. It is an extended and dramatic work which includes two hymns for the congregation, and makes a compelling modern alternative to Stainer’s ‘The Crucifixion’ for performance on Good Friday.
The remaining works include an a capella Mass setting for Wakefield Cathedral, and Evening Canticles for St George’s Chapel, Windsor, the latter imaginatively setting the hymn tune of that name (usually sung to the harvest hymn ‘Come, ye thankful people, come’) as a quiet ostinato background to Mary singing the words of the Magnificat.
The final two works are anthems: an a capella setting of the beautiful words ‘Love’s endeavour, love’s expense’; and the album concludes with an extended virtuoso work in praise of St Cecilia – the Patron Saint of Music.
Track List
Seven Last Words from the Cross
1 O come and mourn with me awhile
4:26The First Word
1:182 Jesu, you heal our wounds
4:31The Second Word
2:593 The Lord is my shepherd
3:50The Third Word 2:29
4 Stabat Mater
5:33The Fourth Word
1:595 Anima Christi
3:09The Fifth Word
0:576 Jesu, thou joy of loving hearts (hymn)
3:02The Sixth Word
1:167 The Lord’s Prayer
2:45The Seventh Word
3:378 O my Saviour, lifted (hymn)
3:49Missa Wakefeldiensis
Kyrie
1:32Gloria
1:49 Credo
3:38Sanctus
1:08Benedictus
1:22Agnus Dei
2:05Windsor Service
Magnificat
3:59Nunc dimittis
3:50Love’s endeavour, love’s expense
4:49Song of St Cecily
11:18Total Playing time: 81:11
Production credits
Recorded in Selwyn College Chapel, Cambridge, 23/25 June 2024
Producers:
George Richford (tracks 1–15, 22–23)
Myles Eastwood (tracks 16–21, 24–25)
Engineer and editor: Myles Eastwood
Sample audio extracts
Reviews
‘…tonal and melodic, with slight overtones of Britten…This fine choir gives excellent performances’ American Record Guide May 2025
‘MacDonald, known for championing new works, consistently delivers excellence in partnership with Regent records. Her choir’s diction, phrasing, and dynamics are first-rate throughout this recording, revealing Bielby as a composer who thoroughly understands the delicate relationship between choir and organ. His accompaniments invariably support rather than overwhelm the ensemble, creating a balanced soundscape that epitomises the best of the English choral tradition.’ Yorkshire Times March 2025