Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Although this reviewer tries to avoid clichés like the plague there really is only one way of describing this release: it is the proverbial curate's egg. There is enough that is praiseworthy to make it possible to recommend the CD but there are also one or two buts that cannot be ignored. But let us begin by giving praise where praise is due: The Exon Singers, directed by Matthew Owens, are one of the country's top chamber choirs and here they live up to that billing and when the soprano soloist Susan Hamilton steps up to the microphone she, metaphorically, raises the roof and literally raises our spirits. The composer, Philip Moore, has recently retired as Director Of Music at York Minster and this collection, some of which has been recorded elsewhere but including enough debut recordings to be of note, was made in his presence at Wells Cathedral where the acoustic is all that it should be and the sound quality of the recording, courtesy of Gary Cole, outstanding. There are some pleasant organ interludes played by Jonathan Vaughn but the main interest is in the vocal compositions. Some I enjoyed very much indeed: "The Song Of The Roses" and "In Memoriam" both deserve another listen, but others passed me by. The "Magnificat And Nunc Dimittis In B Flat", for example, add little to the choral repertoire. It may well be the case that having The Exon Singers sing is sufficient recommendation but my personal advice would be to try to listen before you buy.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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