This album marks the centenary of the conductor, trainer and composer, Bernard Rose (1916–96), one of the mainstays of English choral music in the second half of the twentieth century.

His compositions occupy an honourable place within the mainstream of the cathedral tradition, being both grounded in the past and leaning gently into the future, and speaking its language of stylistic restraint and understated passion – and occasionally flaring into moment of considerable drama.

This recording has especial authority: sung by one of Europe’s leading vocal ensembles, it is conducted by the composer’s son, Gregory Rose. It makes a good number of his works available for the first time.

Gregory Rose has conducted orchestras, ensembles and choirs throughout Europe and the Far East, particularly in Romantic and contemporary repertoire, and has conducted hundreds of premieres. The organist Ene Salumäe regularly works with several early-music ensembles, choirs, soloists and orchestras and as organist and choral conductor at several churches in Estonia and Finland. The Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (EPCC) is one of the best-known Estonian music groups in the world. The repertoire of the choir extends from Gregorian chant and Baroque to the music of the 21st century.