Recordings

Music for Remembrance

Released October 2014

To mark 100 years since the start of the Great War this recording explores the theme of remembrance, with Britten Sinfonia and soloists Christine Rice and Roderick Williams.

Duruflé Requiem Op 9
Vaughan Williams Lord, thou hast been our refuge
Moore Three prayers of Dietrich Bonhoeffer 
Howells Take him, earth, for cherishing 
Tavener The peace that surpasseth understanding

Christine Rice mezzo-soprano
Roderick Williams baritone
Robert Quinney organ
James O'Donnell conductor
Britten Sinfonia
The Choir of Westminster Abbey

From the Burial of the Unknown Warrior on 11th November 1920 to the service marking the centenary of the outbreak of the First World War in August 2014, Westminster Abbey has been a focus of national remembrance and commemoration. This disc features music which has a special significance in this context, from Vaughan Williams' Lord, thou has been our refuge, written in the aftermath of the composer's wartime experience, to John Tavener's anthem The peace that surpasseth understanding, commissioned for the service commemorating the passing of the World War One generation in 2009.

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Listen to extracts

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Reviews

"This disc offers a stimulating programme, beautifully performed and very well recorded. The choir is on excellent form and the soloists drawn from its ranks also deserve separate commendation, helping to make this a fine contribution to this year's remembrance observations."

- International Record Review

"James O'Donnell plumbs the essence of the music and extracts outstanding performances from all the singers and players in an imaginative programme"

- Choir and Organ

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