Mathias: Choral Music / Wells Cathedral

Wells Cathedral Choir; Jonathan Vaughn, organ & Matthew Owens, conductor

Let the people praise thee, O God Op 87 1981 [5'15] / Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (‘Jesus Service’) Op 53 1970 [7'32] / A Babe is Born Op 55 1971 [3'30] / In excelsis gloria 1954, revised 1991 / Processional organ solo 1964 [3'19] / Missa brevis Op 64 1973 [19'07] / Ave verum corpus 1992 [4'29] / Carillon organ solo 1989 / All wisdom is from the Lord Op 88 No 3 1982 [6'19] / Lift up your heads, O ye gates Op 44 No 2 1969 / O nata lux No 3 from Rex gloriae Op 83 1980 [2'05] / Festival Te Deum Op 28 1964 [7'13] / O be joyful in the Lord (Jubilate Deo) Op 90 No 2 1983 [4'40]

Gramophone Editor's Choice - July 2009
William Mathias’s ebullient, joyful choral writing, drawing on a variety of musical traditions, is immediately accessible and likeable whilst demonstrating an architectural sophistication that brings it into the top rank of twentieth-century liturgical music. He had a particular flair for brilliance, drama and display, which made his music highly suited to ceremonial and festive occasions; present too in his music is a sense of Celtic mysticism and deep spirituality which enhances such works as ‘All wisdom is from the Lord’ and ‘O nata lux’. This disc includes a comprehensive selection of his works for choir and organ, spanning his wide-ranging musical career and manifold influences. It is performed by Wells Cathedral Choir—recently described in Gramophone magazine as ‘probably the finest English Cathedral choir at the moment’—whose delightfully full-throated, vibrant sound is the perfect vehicle for this repertoire.

Price: $19.98