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CD Review

The Feast of St. Michael and all Angels at Westminster Abbey

• Benjamin Britten: Jubilate in C Major
• Charles Villiers Stanford: Psalm 148
• Herbert Howells: A Sequence for St. Michael
• Jean Langlais: Messe solennelle
• Jonathan Harvey: Laus Deo
• Kenneth Leighton:
• The Preces
• The Responses
• Michael Tippett:
• Collegium Sancti Johannis Cantabrigiense
• Plebs angelica
• Ralph Vaughan Williams: Te Deum in G Major
• Richard Dering: Factum est silentium
• Walter Galpin Alcock: Psalm 91

Robert Quinney, organ
The Choir of Westminster Abbey/James O'Donnell
Hyperion CDA67643 73m DDD

Of all the great angel saints worshipped by Christendom, St. Michael is without doubt one of the most popular and venerated. The reason is simple as according to the Book of Revelations, St. Michael defended God's righteousness against Lucifer's rebellion and drove the latter out of Heaven.

He has, from time immemorial, become associated as the main protector from Satan's snares and his feast, which falls on the 29^th September, is celebrated with great pomp and devotion. This superb disc contains music one might hear if a visit to Westminster Abbey is made on the day in question. The programme's wide spectrum reflects the structure of the three major choral services dedicated to St. Michael's Feast Day which are based on the traditional worship familiar in the monastic era: Matins (Morning Prayer), Eucharist (or Mass) and Evensong (Evening Prayer).

Of the ten composers featured, only one, Richard Dering hails from the 17^th century. The remaining nine are the product of the 19^th and 20^th centuries, and one finds such eminent names as Stanford, Britten, Vaughan Williams, Tippett, Langlais and even Herbert Howells.

O'Donnell and his choristers perform with precision and eloquence, and the polyphonic aspect of the music comes to the fore with unmistakable clarity. Notes, sound and presentation are first rate.

Copyright © 2008, Gerald Fenech