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The Choir of Southwell Minster
Cavaillé-Coll organs of Sées cathedral
Organists: Simon Hogan and Hilary Punnett
directed by Paul Hale
Out of stock
Description
A unique recording project featuring the Choir of Southwell Minster, directed by Paul Hale, in their first recording on the Regent label.
For this disc the men and boys choir of Southwell Minster in Nottinghamshire, travelled to Sées in Normandy, to record the monumental double organ Masses of Vierne and Langlais using the two original, and recently restored, Cavaillé-Coll organs of the cathedral – the small Orgue de Choeur (Choir organ) built in 1880, and the much larger Grand Orgue at the Cathedral’s west end, built in 1883.
For the first time, the distinctive colours of authentic 19th century Cavaillé-Coll instruments, for which the works were written, are heard in a recording made by an English cathedral choir.
The disc also includes two major 20th century French solo organ works to demonstrate the tonal range of the main Cavaillé-Coll organ: Prélude, Adagio et Choral varié sur le thème du ‘Veni creator’, Op.4 by Maurice Duruflé, and Te Deum, Op.11 by Jeanne Demessieux. In the Duruflé work the variations are interspersed with the Veni creator chant on which they’re based, sung by the men of the choir.
Track List
Messe Solennelle, Op.16 – Louis Vierne
23:42Kyrie
5:10Gloria
7:29Sanctus
2:16 Benedictus
3:40 Agnus Dei
5:02 Prélude, Adagio et Choral varié sur le thème du ‘Veni creator’, Op.4 – Maurice Duruflé
22:14Prélude
7:57 Adagio
6:27 Choral varié
7:51Messe Solennelle – Jean Langlais
19:26Kyrie
4:28 Gloria
5:02 Sanctus
1:46 Benedictus
3:06 Agnus Dei
5:04 Te Deum, Op.11 – Jeanne Demessieux
8:01 Total playingtime: 73:19
Production credits
Recorded in Seés Cathedral, France in 2013
Organs by Cavaillé–Col
Recording producer and engineer: Gary Cole
Assistant engineer: Andrew Gammon
Sample audio extracts
Reviews
“It’s a magnificent sound just as Vierne intended it ….the Southwell choir’s boys are pretty impressive and the scale of the recording is just right.” BBC Radio 3 CD Review March 15th 2014
‘The recording contains first-rate choral singing with refined and nuanced sound. This reviewer was impressed with the color and the dynamic ranges of the choir and how they sounded at home with the acoustics of Sées Cathedral. The choral singing, focused and with rhythmic vitality, keeps the music moving forward. The choir, organs, and acoustics were perfectly matched for the task at hand. The combination of music composed for two organs and choir, coupled with the organs that would have performed them, makes this disc a must-have.’ Choral Journal (US) May 2015
‘vigorous, clear and exquisite performances…’ Choir and Organ May/June 2014
‘Paul Hale’s direction is biting and incisive, and the result is a gripping, dramatic performance.’ **** BBC Music Magazine, June 2014
‘Many congratulations to Paul Hale and Gary Cole for an exciting recording – buy it!’ Editor’s Choice Organists’ Review June 2014
‘The performance standard here is very high. Coherence and choral discipline are exemplary… The recorded sound is highly impressive with its spaciousness and combination of warmth with brilliance. Altogether it makes for a rather heady listening experience’ American Record Guide July 2014
The recording contains first-rate choral singing with refined and nuanced sound. This reviewer was impressed with the color and the dynamic ranges of the choir and how they sounded at home with the acoustics of Sées Cathedral. The choral singing, focused and with rhythmic vitality, keeps the music moving forward. The choir, organs, and acoustics were perfectly matched for the task at hand. The combination of music composed for two organs and choir, coupled with the organs that would have performed them, makes this disc a must-have.’ Choral Journal (US) May 2015
‘Why would Southwell Minster choir travel to Normandy to record the double organ masses of Vierne and Langlais? the answer becomes plain in the first bar. Sées Cathedral has two fine Cavaillé-Coll organs enhanced by a rich acoustic. Add to that crisp, vibrant singing from the choir under Paul Hale and commanding organ playing by Simon Hogan and Hilary Punnett and the result is extraordinary.’ Yorkshire Post 28.2.2014