Andrew Nethsingha likes big crescendos–in the Grieg, the Parsons, the Rachmaninov, for example–which isn’t necessarily bad, except here, where they are just too big and sudden for the established dynamic context. (In Pärt’s Bogoroditse Devo the microphones do not take kindly to the loudest section–and I’m referring to regular CD-format here, not SACD). Nethsingha also favors a very slow tempo in the Parsons (Ave Maria), which grows ever slower by work’s end and causes not a few small but noticeable intonation problems. Intonation also shades a bit shy of the true pitch here and there in the very difficult Allegri Miserere–which nevertheless benefits from gorgeous high treble singing and the St. John’s Chapel acoustics. There–those are the points of caution.
A look at the composer list above tells you that indeed, the agenda will feature cathedral “classics”, and fans of this repertoire will find themselves in very familiar territory, although others may properly apply the term “warhorses” to such pieces as Franck’s Panis angelicus (beautifully sung and played here by tenor Pablo Strong and cellist Graham Walker), Vaughan Williams’ O taste and see, Fauré’s Cantique de Jean Racine, and Stanford’s Jubilate Deo. Not surprisingly, this choir knows and performs these works with authority, although where organ is involved balances are sometimes skewed in favor of the organ.
It’s nice to have James MacMillan’s A New Song (1997) on the program, an engaging, memorable “new” work to balance the meandering, too-long example of the excesses of British “cathedral style” embodied in Parry’s Hear my words, ye people. This is truly a mixed bag: the Tallis Agnus Dei (from Missa “Salve intemerata”) is lovely; Rutter’s recently written (2007) anthem, O Lord, thou hast searched me out, offers not much in terms of originality, but it’s nevertheless a solid and eminently singable church work with organ and cor anglais. The program seems calculated for sales to an audience looking for comfort rather than cohesiveness. You know if this is for you.
