David Hill, The Choir of St John’s Cambridge, Paul Provost - Joseph Jongen & Flor Peeters: Music for Choir, Organ & Brass (2007)

Tracklist

01. Messe en l'honeur du Saint-Sacrement, Op. 130: I. Kyrie
02. Messe en l'honeur du Saint-Sacrement, Op. 130: II. Gloria
03. Messe en l'honeur du Saint-Sacrement, Op. 130: III. Credo
04. Messe en l'honeur du Saint-Sacrement, Op. 130: IV. Sanctus
05. Messe en l'honeur du Saint-Sacrement, Op. 130: V. Benedictus
06. Messe en l'honeur du Saint-Sacrement, Op. 130: VI. Agnus Dei
07. Deus Abraham, W150
08. Pie Jesu
09. Quid sum miser?
10. Missa Festiva, Op. 62: I. Kyrie
11. Missa Festiva, Op. 62: II. Gloria
12. Missa Festiva, Op. 62: III. Credo
13. Missa Festiva, Op. 62: IV. Sanctus
14. Missa Festiva, Op. 62: V. Benedictus
15. Missa Festiva, Op. 62: VI. Agnus Dei

The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge is experiencing another vintage year of musical and vocal excellence. In this latest CD for Hyperion, its trademark sound, immaculate yet energetic and joyful, is employed in the service of a fascinating selection of sacred choral works from the twentieth century.

Joseph Jongen brought his vast array of musical influences to the European sacred music tradition, creating works of unrestrained lyrical and melodic power which nevertheless illustrate the liturgical texts with reverence. Jongen’s Messe en l’honneur du Saint-Sacrement is a major work on a large scale, richly contrapuntal, interwoven throughout with plainsong melodies expertly manipulated, harmonically vivid and original. It is scored for brass and organ accompaniment reminiscent of Gabrieli and its sumptuous texture is perfectly captured here in the famous resonant acoustic of the chapel. Flor Peeters’ Missa Festiva is a similarly vibrant and enjoyable work.

Also recorded here, demonstrating the considerable individual talents of St John’s soloists, are three of Jongen’s sacred solo motets, each written for specific personal occasions, sensitively scored and imbued with emotional sincerity.

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