By NW137473
19-Jan-2013

Try this recording!  

Choristers (and former choristers) – let your imagination soar – this disc contains Parry as one hopes his music will sound when one is singing his anthems with organ – but now with a full throated orchestra and chorus.

Parry has written the orchestration of Te Deum, England, and Jerusalem to strongly support the choir, and yield a unified uplifting performance – it is fascinating to hear the original setting of Jerusalem, to be compared with that heard at the Proms – ideas, and perhaps prejudices, formed on hearing overblown performances can be cast aside.

For these works alone the recording is a great value. Add orchestral music for The Birds of Aristophanes and the Magnificat in their differing forms, to cover most of Parry’s choral/orchestral works, and one must be satisfied – or replete.

Comprising mostly premiere recordings, we are again reminded of the great strength of modern recording and electronic distribution, which allows us to hear and repeat seldom performed works. If you love English choral music, try this disc – you won't regret it.
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By Edward Greenfield
Gramophone
01-Dec-2012