Ralph Vaughan Williams: Dona Nobis Pacem & Leonard Bernstein: Chichester Psalms

Bernstein at 100 is the celebration of the 100th birthday of the composer, conductor, educator, musician, cultural ambassador, and humanitarian. To celebrate this world-wide event, the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge and Britten Sinfonia present one of the composer’s most enduring works, Chichester Psalms. The voice occupies a special place in Bernstein’s output, and Chichester Psalms stands as his most popular choral work. It is presented here in the version for choir, organ, percussion and harp, with the exquisite solo for boy treble.

Written in 1965, it is an exhilarating invocation of the composer’s hopes for brotherhood and peace. Sentiments which are mirrored by Vaughan Williams’s impassioned Dona nobis pacem, which draws on texts from the Mass, three poems by Walt Whitman, a political speech, and sections of the Bible.

The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge is one of the world’s foremost choirs and unquestionably among the most widely heard. It owes its existence to King Henry VI, who envisaged the daily singing of services in its magnificent chapel. This remains the an important part of the lives of the sixteen choral scholars, who are educated at King’s College School, and the 14 choral scholars and two organ scholars, who study a variety of subjects in the College. The Choir has produced numerous professional singers including James Gilchrist, Christopher Purves and Gerald Finley.

Reviews

BBC Music Magazine January 2018

“The boy trebles bring an extra, touching intimacy to the Agnus Dei, though there are places…where their tone becomes attenuated, and others where major surges of dynamic threaten to swamp their contribution. Both soloists are moving and Stephen Cleobury conducts incisively…These performances, though not definitive are consistently insightful, and provide a viable alternative to adult choir versions. – 4 out of 5 stars

Choir & Organ January/February 2018

“Cleobury’s King’s forces, ably matched by the ever-reliable Britten Sinfonia, give of their very best … Both soloists are superb, with Roderick Williams’s bright tone and exemplary diction especially to be admired. The Bernstein receives a lively, precise reading in which the newly restored chapel organ is heard to particularly fine effect.

Gramophone Magazine January 2018

“King’s Chapel plays its part, not only in the acoustic halo that surrounds Ailish Tynan’s opening plea, but the space surrounding and somehow uplifting strings and voices: bass drum and organ entirely fill the air when they need to, but there is a not inappropriate illusion of the performance taking place in mid-air. That’s also due to Stephen Cleobury’s incisive direction.

The Guardian 12th November 2017

“It’s beautifully sung, with ideal soloists in soprano Ailish Tynan, heart-rending in her cries of “grant us peace”, and baritone Roderick Williams, who sings Whitman’s Reconciliation with exquisite tenderness. Boys’ voices add new poignancy to the brassy, martial moments. – 4 out of 5 stars