Treasures of Christ Church

The unison singing of the exposed sections in the Howells is particularly notable, impressively unanimous in its nuanced expressivity...Overall, this is a splendidly recorded and packaged snapshot... — BBC Music Magazine, December 2011, 4 out of 5 stars More…

Release Date: 19th Sep 2011
Catalogue No: AV2215
Label: Avie

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Handel: Coronation Anthem No. 1, HWV258 'Zadok the Priest'

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Walton: Set me as a seal upon thine heart

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Tallis: Salvator mundi

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Purcell: O God, thou art my god, Z35

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Parsons, R: Ave Maria

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Britten: A Shepherd's Carol

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Howells: Like as the Hart

dedicated to Thomas Armstrong, Organist of ChCh
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Tavener: The Lord's Prayer

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Taverner: Christe Jesu, pastor bone

with the Elizabeth text as in ChCh source
Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Grier, F: My breath lies quiet

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Warlock: Bethlehem Down

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Rutter: Canticle of the Heavenly City

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Byrd: O Lord, make thy servant Elizabeth

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Darlington: Jacob's Ladder

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Gibbons, O: Great Lord of Lords

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Goodall, H: Veni, sancte spiritus

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

Weelkes: Hosanna to the Son of David

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Oxford
Stephen Darlington (director)

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About

Treasures of Christ Church is a newly recorded, special collection of 500 years of English choral music sung from original manuscripts, uncovering the unique history of music at Christ Church from Tallis, Taverner, Handel, Purcell and Byrd through to world premieres from Rutter and Goodall.

All of the composers on Treasures had an association with Christ Church (whose hallowed halls were famously seen in the Harry Potter films), stretching back to the tenure of John Taverner, through Tallis, Handel, Purcell and Byrd to present day world premiere recordings of works by John Rutter and Howard Goodall.

The history: John Taverner, the most outstanding English composer of his time, was appointed Informator Choristarum of Cardinal College, Oxford in 1526, with the brief of establishing the foremost choral institution in the country. He succeeded magnificently and the tradition continues to this day at what is now known as Christ Church, Oxford. The Choir maintains a special and distinctive place within the great English choral tradition, with an unbroken, continuous tradition of glorious music-making for over five hundred years. Today the choir is renowned for its vibrant sound and artistic versatility, qualities that have been praised throughout the world. Packaging will feature striking visuals with photographs of original manuscripts on pristinely preserved parchment and leather-bound, gold-embossed scores. The promotional video will take viewers through the unrivalled archives and include interviews with Stephen Darlington and the composers.

Reviews

December 2011

The unison singing of the exposed sections in the Howells is particularly notable, impressively unanimous in its nuanced expressivity...Overall, this is a splendidly recorded and packaged snapshot of a great choral institution, still going as strongly as ever.

December 2011

The boys' voices are rich and powerful in Taverner's Christe Jesu: they know an expressive line when they see one. Their heartbreaking simplicity in the seasonal Bethlehem Down shows they understand how to work the crowd at a carol service.

December 2011

The lower adult voices have as much dynamic strength and colour as the trebles, resulting in satisfying polyphonic textures in the early music and sonorous chordal harmonies in the more recent compositions...A very enjoyable CD, thanks to the rewarding choice of music and the magnificent performances of all the singers and instrumentalists; a recording to treasure.

15th January 2012

A varied recital, beautifully sung by one of the finest Oxbridge college choirs.

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