Treasures Of Christ Church

Label: AVIE
Catalog: AV2215
Format: CD

Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford; Stephen Darlington, director

George Frideric Handel Zadok the priest * / William Walton Set me as a seal / Thomas Tallis Salvator mundi / Henry Purcell O God, thou art my God / Robert Parsons Ave Maria / Benjamin Britten Shepherd's Carol / Herbert Howells Like as the hart * / John Tavener The Lord's Prayer / John Taverner Christe Jesu / Francis Grier My breath lies quiet / Peter Warlock Bethlehem Down / John Rutter Canticle of the Heavenly City (with flute and harp) / William Byrd O Lord make thy servant Elizabeth / Stephen Darlington Jacob's Ladder / Orlando Gibbons Great Lord of Lords * / Howard Goodall Veni, Sancte Spiritus / Thomas Weelkes Hosanna to the Son of David / digital bonus track: Purcell Thou knowest Lord
* with organ accompaniment

Treasures of Christ Church is a newly recorded, special collection spanning 500 years of English choral music performed from original manuscripts, uncovering the unique history of music at Christ Church, Oxford. All of the composers on Treasures had an association with Christ Church (whose hallowed halls were famously seen in the Harry Potter films), stretching back to the tenure of John Taverner, through Tallis, Handel, Purcell and Byrd to present day world premiere recordings of works by John Rutter and Howard Goodall.
The history: John Taverner, the most outstanding English composer of his time, was appointed Informator Choristarum of Cardinal College, Oxford in 1526, with the brief of establishing the foremost choral institution in the country. He succeeded magnificently and the tradition continues to this day at what is now known as Christ Church, Oxford. The Choir maintains a special and distinctive place within the great English choral tradition, with an unbroken, continuous tradition of glorious music-making for over five hundred years. Today the choir is renowned for its vibrant sound and artistic versatility, qualities that have been praised throughout the world.
Packaging features striking visuals with photographs of original manuscripts on pristinely preserved parchment and leather-bound, gold-embossed scores.

Price: $25.98