Description
Gary Davison is Organist and Choirmaster of Saint Francis Episcopal Church in Potomac, Maryland, and maintains an active schedule as a solo and collaborative keyboard artist, and particularly enjoys a close musical relationship as a composer with Wells Cathedral.
This is the first recoding entirely devoted to Gary Davison’s choral music, and is sung by the renowned choir of Wells Cathedral, conducted by Matthew Owens. All the works are receiving their first commercial recording.
This is Wells Cathedral Choir’s sixth recording on the Regent Records’ label, and previous releases have all received superlative critical acclaim.
Track List
1
My song shall be alway
3:21
2
Zion, at thy shining gates
2:54
7
Sanctus and Benedictus
1:44
11
Trumpet Rondo on ‘Laudes Domini
3:24
12
Sing, my soul, his wondrous love WEDMORE
2:30
14
Never weather-beaten sail
4:10
17
The Lord is my light
3:51
20
Glory to thee, my God, this night
6:34
All first recordings except track 2
Total Playing time: 76:30
Production credits
Recorded in Wells Cathedral, 9-12 June 2014, by permission of the Chapter
Recording producer: Gary Cole,
Assistant engineer: Andy Gammon
Edited by Steve Swinden and Gary Cole
Reviews
Steeped in the rich Anglican choral tradition, American composer, Gary Davison, is one of the US’s leading composers of sacred choral music. He brings a deep love of this heritage to all of his writing. Through the lens of the post-modern era, he embraces many of the modal and tonal techniques of Western music to inform his own artistry. Performers and audiences alike admire his compositional style for its idiomatic expression and freshness of voice. Critical acclaim supports this esteem with such descriptions of his work as “persuasive … imaginative and polished … sumptuous and engaging” (The Washington Post); “seductive and spirited … smooth, flexible and clear, allowing the music to shine from within” (Hamburger Abendblatt, Germany); as well as “breathtaking and exquisite … exactly the kind of rewarding challenge singers love best.” The Journal of the Association of Anglican Musicians.
‘the pieces are very accessible and I’m sure will appeal to choirs and congregations alike, which is surely what Gary Davison intended: this is music written for practical use in the liturgy. His music is given splendid advocacy by Matthew Owens and his fine choir – one would expect nothing less – and Jonathan Vaughn makes an expert contribution at the organ’ MusicWeb October 2015
‘Matthew Owens is second to none in his championing of living composers. Here with the girl choristers and Vicars Choral of Wells Cathedral, he introduces us to the music of American composer Gary Davison…Davison’s greatest strength is a deep understanding of a sacred text, which informs his writing…There is an uncluttered, harmonic appeal to his writing…This distinguished cathedral choir is in excellent voice, enhanced by the creative playing of Jonathan Vaughn.’ Choir and Organ November/December 2015
‘Gary Davison is an American composer influenced by that tradition (the Anglican choral tradition)—in particular, the choral tradition at Wells Cathedral. The choir is a blend of girls, countertenors, tenors, and basses; it performs this music in an exemplary manner. Sonics are good on all these releases.’ American Record Guide November 2015
