Reviewed by Steven Whitehead 29th June is a big day at York as it is St Peter's Day and thus the Patronal Festival of York Minster and so one of the most important days in the life of this great church. The music on this disc is tailored to the theme of the St Peter's Day Celebration and covers the three Sunday services: Matins ("Morning Prayer"), the Eucharist or Holy Communion and Evensong ("Evening Prayer"). The recording places the listener in the huge nave of the Minster. The musical settings vary from contemplative to apocalyptic, demonstrating the full range of colours and dynamics that the acoustics of this magnificent building creates when musical forces of the York Minster choir and organ are embraced by it, and we applaud producer/engineer Gary Cole for capturing it so well. The programme opens with the ringing of a bell and an aisle prayer led by Cantor Richard Shepherd, setting the scene most appropriately. We commence with a sung Eucharist and the opening hymn "Christ Is Made The Sure Foundation" by Henry Purcell. The centrepiece, at least musically, is a first recording of a Missa Brevis from 2012, written for York Minster by David Briggs which is a piece I expect other choirs to borrow in the future. The Eucharist closes with the obvious "Tu es Petrus" by Maurice Durufle and a chanted Psalm 150 set by George Surtes Talbot. The mix of sung and chanted material sets this collection apart as it allows us to get much closer to an authentic cathedral service and although some of the chants may not bear frequent repetition I appreciate having them as a resource. However there is sufficient choral music to keep our attention throughout, including Stanford's "Te Deum Laudamus In C", "O Quam Gloriosum" by Philip Moore, and my personal favourite, William Walton's "Coronation Te Deum" arranged by Simon Preston and Mark Blatchly. The Choir of York Minster is in fine form throughout, most ably directed by Robert Sharpe with some superb work on the organ by David Pipe. Musically this is a joy and is, for me, an excursion into uncharted territory.
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