Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

There is much to praise on this CD and also some things that your reviewer did not enjoy. The opening song, SS Wesley's "Wash Me Thoroughly", seemed a bit of a wash out but track two, de Palestrina's "Ego Sum Panis Vivus" was an improvement. Mendelssohn's "Hear My Prayer" with its famous "O For The Wings Of A Dove" treble solo is always an obvious choice for a traditional choir. I am sure that I would have applauded this attempt had I heard it live but I have within easy reach of my CD player at least half a dozen better versions. Not to worry, as the highlights of this collection soon follow: a glorious "Miserere Mei, Deus" by Gregorio Allegri followed by a personal favourite, Walton's "A Litany" and then a new one to me: Alonso Lobo's "Versa Est In Luctum". The theme of living bread continues with Franck's "Panis Angelicus" and the disc closes with Finzi's "Lo, The Full, Final Sacrifice". The whole is a thoughtful and generally satisfying meditation on our Living Bread.

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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