Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of choral music with the Choir of King's College, Cambridge, as they present "Choral Music of David Willcocks." This exquisite collection, released on Priory Records in 2011, showcases the choir's unparalleled skill and the timeless compositions of David Willcocks. Spanning a diverse range of genres, including choral, Christmas, requiem, and classical, this album offers a comprehensive exploration of sacred and secular music that will captivate and inspire.
The album opens with "A Ceremony of Psalms," a majestic arrangement for choir, organ, and brass ensemble, featuring five beautifully rendered psalms. Each piece is a testament to the choir's precision and the profound emotional depth of the music. Following this, the choir delves into a selection of traditional English folk songs and carols, arranged by Willcocks himself. These arrangements are both lively and poignant, showcasing the choir's versatility and the enduring appeal of these beloved tunes.
The album also includes sacred works such as "Magnificat" and "Nunc dimittis," which highlight the choir's ability to convey the spiritual essence of these timeless texts. The inclusion of "Where the Mind Is Without Fear," a setting of a poem by Rabindranath Tagore, adds a contemporary touch to the collection, demonstrating the choir's commitment to musical innovation.
The album concludes with a rousing performance of "God Save the Queen," arranged by Willcocks for choir and brass ensemble, leaving the listener with a sense of grandeur and celebration. With a total runtime of 1 hour and 12 minutes, "Choral Music of David Willcocks" is a testament to the enduring power of choral music and the exceptional talent of the Choir of King's College, Cambridge. Whether you are a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album is sure to leave a lasting impression.
(C) 2011 Priory Records(P) 2011 Priory Records
Tracks
A Ceremony of Psalms (Arr. for Choir, Organ & Brass Ensemble): I. Psalm 98 "O Sing unto the Lord a New Song"Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble
A Ceremony of Psalms (Arr. for Choir, Organ & Brass Ensemble): II. Psalm 130 "Out of the Deep Have I Called unto Thee, O Lord"Sir David Willcocks, Stephen Varcoe, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Peter Stevens, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble
A Ceremony of Psalms (Arr. for Choir, Organ & Brass Ensemble): III. Psalm 150 "O Praise God in His Sanctuary"Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble
A Ceremony of Psalms (Arr. for Choir, Organ & Brass Ensemble): IV. Psalm 23 "The Lord Is My Shepherd"Sir David Willcocks, Stephen Varcoe, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury
A Ceremony of Psalms (Arr. for Choir, Organ & Brass Ensemble): V. Psalm 65 "Thou O God Art Praised in Sion"Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble
The Lass of Richmond Hill (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir)James Hook, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Barbara Allen (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir)Traditional, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir)Traditional, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Early One Morning (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir)Traditional, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Bobby Shafto's Gone to Sea (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir)Traditional, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir)Traditional, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Sussex Carol "On Christmas Night All Christians Sing" (Arr. P. Ledger for Choir & Organ)Traditional, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Sir David Willcocks
Silent Night, H. 145 (Sung in English) [Arr. S. Cleobury for Choir & Organ]Franz Xaver Gruber, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Sir David Willcocks
What Sweeter Music (Version for Choir & Organ)John Rutter, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Sir David Willcocks
MagnificatSir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury
Nunc dimittisSir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society
Where the Mind Is Without FearJonathan Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Sir David Willcocks
Sing! (After Widor's Organ Symphony, Op. 42: V. Toccata) [Version for Choir, Organ & Brass Ensemble]Sir David Willcocks, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble
God Save the Queen (Arr. D. Willcocks for Choir & Brass Ensemble)Anonymous, Choir of King's College, Cambridge, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, The Bach Choir, Cambridge University Musical Society, Ben-San Lau, Jane Watts, Peter Stevens, Sir Stephen Cleobury, Royal College of Music Brass Ensemble, Sir David Willcocks