The combined forces certainly make a glorious noise, at its most impressive with the extensive Gloria section.

By any standards, this recording of Howell’s Missa Sabriensis (Mass of the Severn) is a major event and superior in every way to the work’s previous account on disc.

A texturally high-definition performance from David Hill and the superbly trained amateurs of The Bach Choir...Hill also has the edge with soloists. Bigger voices ride and soar over the chorus and BBC Concert Orchestra, led by Helena Dix’s ecstatic, rapturous soprano...It’s an electrifying performance: one of those you never knew you were waiting for but can’t imagine now ever doing without..

In many ways this seems to be quite different from the luscious, melodious Howells familiar to regular Anglican evensong-goers, where his canticles and anthems are firm favourites. Yet every so often a flash of that voice emerges – a turn of phrase, a harmonic progression – and the more one listens, the less “out of character” this huge, turbulent work appears...This may be one of this year’s most significant choral recordings, and it is a performance not to be missed.

Hill’s uplifting performance, magnificently sung by the choir and the soloists Helena Dix, Christine Rice, Benjamin Hulett and Roderick Williams, proves a complete vindication.

The quartet of soloists is well-matched and fearless.