Hymns and Anthems for the Church Year

This is cathedral choral music at its bestsolemn, soul stirring, grand. Recorded at Brentwood Cathedral, in Essex, England, the latest collaboration by these gifted composers provides 15 richly crafted new works for seasons and feasts throughout the year.

New music that balances traditional and modern styling
Mixing hymns with assembly parts and anthems for choir and organ, the collection disproves the claim that "they don't write them like that any more." But these are not mere copies of old standards. Steeped in the church's legacy of sacred music, Colin and Andrew are also men of the twenty-first century. They fashioned these new pieces with a delightful balance of traditional and modern styling.

Songs for all the seasons of the year
Majestic enough for solemnities at cathedrals, the music can also be adapted by the average parish for ordinary Sundays. Choir directors will find tantalizing new SATB works for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Chrism Mass, Easter, Ascension, Pentecost and Christ the King. Marian songs, psalms and Communion processionals alternate with songs for weddings and funerals.

Beautifully recorded CD features the Brentwood boys choir
More than a good learning tool, the CD is pure listening pleasure. Conducted by Andrew, who is master of music there, the Brentwood choirs are outstanding once again -- especially the talented boys choir. They also sang on Christ Be with Me, Colin and Andrew's first collection together.

Blessed with superb acoustics, the big cathedral also houses a magnificent pipe organ, as this recording makes clear. Built in 1881 and a fine example of the English Romantic tradition, it's known for "rich Pleno and charming soft stops." Organist Emma Gibbins plays it here, accompanied on two pieces by brass. The collection also includes several a cappella works.

From a cappella anthems to grand hymns for choir, brass and organ
Drawn from his previously published "Motets of Serenity," "Rorate Caeli" is an atmospheric, a cappella setting of the classic Advent hymn by Colin. "Send Forth Your Spirit" is a lively Pentecost anthem by Andrew. Other highlights include Colin's "The Splendor of the Risen Lord." Scored for full choir, organ, trumpets, trombones, horn, timpani, and cymbal, this stately Easter hymn closes the recording with a flourish.

Representing the best contemporary choral music coming out of England today, Hymns and Anthems for the Church Year leads listeners, singers and worshipers into a prayerful awe that is only proper before the Lord of heaven and earth.