Khoros - Mother of God: Choral Music to the Virgin Mary (2019)

This is the debut CD of Khoros, a choir formed in 2011 by Patrick Allies. In seeking a programme that would best demonstrate the choir’s versatility, Patrick drew together music composed in honour of the Virgin Mary, particularly works that refer to or celebrate some of the many names by which she is known. Such a programme enabled the presentation of music from Plainsong and renaissance polyphony to contemporary, and includes two premiere recordings: Ben Rowarth’s 'Regina caeli' and Libby Croad’s 'To the Immaculate Heart of Mary', commissioned for this disc.

The earliest music in the programme is the Solemn tone plainsong 'Salve Regina'. Hildegard of Bingen’s own mesmerising, flowing plainsong in 'O viridissima virg'a is sung by the women’s voices. From Tudor England, Robert Parsons’ setting of Ave Maria concludes with an Amen of exquisite beauty, and the same Ave Maria text is subtly combined with that of W B Yeats’ poem ‘The Mother of God’ in the vivid and powerful' Mater De'i by Sarah Rimkus. John Taverner’s 'Mother of God, here I stand' sets Lermontov’s humble prayer with profound simplicity.

The seven-part setting of' Ego flos campi' by Jacobus Clemens non Papa is full of sumptuous choral counterpoint, and an equally sonorous effect is accomplished in the rich contemporary harmonies of Eva Ugalda’s setting for men’s voices of 'Ave maris stell'a. Jan Sandström surrounds Michael Praetorius’s' Est ist ein Ros entsprungen' with clustered chords and creates an atmosphere of stillness around the wintry words.

Orlande de Lassus’ double-choir, eight-part 'Alma redemptoris mater' brings the programme to a musically thrilling conclusion. Also included are works by Lobo ('Ave regina caelorum'), Padilla ('Stabat Mater') and Britten ('A Hymn to the Virgin'). The recording venue was the compact but resonant chapel of Downing College, Cambridge.