Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

The short review is straightforward: here we have one of Britain's top choirs singing a pleasant selection of popular pieces to raise money for a local charity. Go buy. For those who want a longer comment, the "top choir" tag comes courtesy of the January 2011 issue of Gramophone magazine that judges Wells Cathedral Choir to be the best children's choir and number six in their list of the world's best choirs, which is high praise indeed although not a statement that this reviewer is prepared to argue over. That the 17 pieces on this CD are popular is self evident. We open with the first movement from Vivaldi's "Gloria" and close with "Worthy Is The Lamb" from 'Messiah' and in between come plenty of other uplifting and inspiring songs including three by John Rutter (his setting of "All Things Bright and Beautiful", "Wells Jubilate", and "A Gaelic Blessing"), two by Howard Goodall ("Love Divine" and his version of Psalm 23 which you may know better as the theme from The Vicar Of Dibley) plus some old faithfuls including "Lord Of The Dance", "Amazing Grace", and Handel's "Hallelujah". Pleasant discoveries for this reviewer include Franz Biebl's take on "Ave Maria" and George Dyson's "Magnificat In D" but there are no weak links at all and the singing is exemplary throughout. The good cause for which this is raising funds is St Margaret's Hospice, Somerset, which provides care to those who have a terminal or life-limiting illness and I have no hesitation in recommending this CD both as a generous and inspiring collection and as a fund raiser for a worthwhile organisation.

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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