The Choir of St Edmundsbury Cathedral, James Thomas - So Rich A Crown
STYLE: Choral RATING OUR PRODUCT CODE: 12702- LABEL: Lammas LAMM172D FORMAT: CD Album ITEMS: 1 RRP: £13.99
Reviewed by Steven Whitehead
Much has been happening at Bury St Edmunds with the building of a tower for the cathedral and a new appeal to restore the organ. However the Choir keeps on with its busy schedule and it is only fair to point out that this is not a "professional" cathedral choir as the boys do not attend a special choir school and the Lay Clerks are all volunteers. The singing reflects this: it is always in tune but lacking that indefinable something extra that would lift it to the next level. Michael Bawtree provides organ accompaniment but the choir sound fine a cappella. The selection of music has no particular theme although the opening piece, the Choir Director's own setting of "The Edmund Prayer", is of course appropriate. Most of the other featured composers are better known than James Thomas: they include Bairstow, Byrd, Mendelssohn, Parry, Stanford and Tallis although it is good to report that not all the choices of hymns are predictable. As a permanent record of where the Choir is today this CD is a success. For those of us not connected with the Cathedral it is of less interest but listeners who enjoy traditional Anglican choral music will appreciate it.
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