Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem; Bernstein: Chichester Psalms - Choir of King's College, Cambridge (HYBRID SACD)

Ailish Tynan soprano
Roderick Williams baritone
George Hill treble

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge
Britten Sinfonia
Directed by Stephen Cleobury

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge joins forces with the Britten Sinfonia for this album of two much-loved choral works. Both are recorded in orchestrations for smaller forces to match the size of the Chapel Choir: the Dona nobis pacem is presented here in a brand-new arrangement for small orchestra, commissioned for this recording, resulting in an intimate performance that brings new and different colours to Vaughan Williams’ work. The Chichester Psalms is performed in Bernstein’s own orchestration for organ, harp and percussion, and both performances include the recently-restored Harrison & Harrison organ in King’s College Chapel.

Baritone Roderick Williams, who received an OBE in June 2017 for services to music, and “radiant” (Sunday Times) soprano Ailish Tynan join as Dona nobis pacem soloists, while the treble solo in the Chichester Psalms is sung here by 11-year-old chorister George Hill.

The recording is accompanied by a specially-commissioned essay on these two ‘peace works’, and an analysis of the new orchestration. In recognition of the American connections in both works – those of Bernstein and Dona nobis pacem poet Walt Whitman – the album is also available with a free download of The Road Home by the contemporary American composer Stephen Paulus.

Dona nobis pacem Vaughan Williams, Ralph
1 I Agnus Dei 03:11
2 II Beat! beat! drums! 03:45
3 III Reconciliation 05:48
4 IV Dirge for Two Veterans 09:46
5 V The Angel of Death has been abroad 03:11
6 VI O man greatly beloved 07:00

Chichester Psalms Bernstein, Leonard
7 I. Psalm 108, 2 – Psalm 100 04:07
8 II. Psalm 23 – Psalm 2, 1-4 05:07
9 III. Psalm 131 – Psalm 133, 1 09:16
Total playing time – 51:21