A lively showcase of an exceptional choral tradition.
On 10 June, the Portsmouth Cathedral Choir launches its latest cd: A Year at Portsmouth (Regent Records). Boys, girls and male voices take us on a musical journey of almost eighty minutes — a richly filled and thoughtfully curated release that immerses the listener in the sonic universe of this special cathedral.
What immediately stands out is the striking choice for less well-trodden repertoire. Apart from a few familiar anchor points, this cd deliberately avoids obvious paths. This makes the programme fresh and intriguing, while still maintaining the foundation of tradition.
Among those familiar landmarks is Mozart's Laudate Dominum, here sung by an excellent Evelyn Cowhig. Her voice has precisely enough vibrato to give this often-heard music a new depth — a natural, almost disarming beauty that remains entirely in the spirit of Mozart. The same can be said of the Händel aria, performed by boy soprano (treble) Daniel Sands, who excels with clear diction and moving sincerity.
Organist Sachin Gunga also deserves special mention. His accompaniment is not only solid but distinctly colourful. He knows how to make the instrument speak in all its nuances, with the majestic organ solo Fanfare de Maris by Philip Moore as the highlight, in which the full richness of the cathedral organ comes into its own.
Among the more classical choral works, Stanford's Coelos ascendit hodie particularly stands out. For me, the recording of Salisbury Cathedral Choir under Richard Seal (Anthems for America) is a reference point; it is therefore no small achievement that Portsmouth can hold its own alongside that interpretation. The performance is clear, precise and convincingly constructed.
Yet the greatest strength of this cd perhaps lies in the lesser-known repertoire. Works that will be new to many prove to be small discoveries throughout. Brian Moles's intimate Magnificat, the expressive music of Undine Smith Moore and the accessibility of Howard Goodall — yes, known from the iconic Mr Bean theme — demonstrate the breadth of the programme. In this vein also fits John Rutter's The Lord is my light and my salvation, with a particularly fine contribution from tenor Adrian Green and subtle yet effective playing from clarinettist Alex Wallace.
One work deserves special mention: The gateway of heaven by Paul Trepte. This former conductor of Ely Cathedral, with whom David Price worked closely at the beginning of his career, writes here an impressive a capella motet that opens all the registers of English choral art. Baritone Alex Wallace engages in an intense dialogue with the choir, and the music almost visually evokes the ascending and descending of angels. The finale, entrusted to the sopranos, is as unexpected as it is haunting.
Striking is how naturally both choirs — boys and girls — move through the programme. Their sound is homogeneous and balanced, and it is abundantly clear that they feel completely at home in this space. The recording makes optimal use of the acoustics of the relatively intimate cathedral, aptly named the 'Cathedral of the Sea', without sacrificing clarity.
This cd is also testimony to the impressive work of conductor David Price. Over the years, he has built a solid and vibrant choral programme in Portsmouth, not supported by the traditional structures of English choir schools, but sustained by thoughtful programming, commitment and an intelligent opening up of church music to a broad audience. Wary of dogma, one language speaks above all: that of music. Quis cantat bis orat — who sings prays twice — takes on a particularly concrete form in Portsmouth.
The significance of this work extends beyond the musical alone. Over the years, hundreds of children here have had the opportunity to experience music from within. Many remained devoted to it. From a continental perspective, one can only look with admiration at what is still achieved in the United Kingdom, despite the challenges. Portsmouth is an inspiring example of this.
All of this comes together beautifully in the closing work, dedicated to the patroness of music, Saint Cecilia. This is more than just a contemporary composition: it embodies the work of the cathedral as a whole. On her feast day, children from schools and parishes are invited to sing along — an experience that undoubtedly leaves a lasting impression. This cd has much the same effect: the music and singing grips you and doesn't let go.
A Year at Portsmouth is a particularly successful recording that convinces both artistically and substantively. For lovers of choral music, this is undoubtedly a valuable addition to the cd collection — and for those who have experienced the choir live, a warm and familiar reminder.
Reserve your copy at Regent Records (REGCD592) or stream it soon on various platforms.
complete tracklist:
- All wisdom cometh from the Lord – Philip Moore
- Ave maris stella – Edvard Grieg
- I saw three ships – Traditional, arr. Richard Lloyd
- View me, Lord – Richard Lloyd
- Magnificat (The Fourth Service) – Brian Moles
- Our Father (The Lord's Prayer) – Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
- We shall walk through the valley – Undine Smith Moore
- Love Divine – Howard Goodall
- Coelos ascendit hodie – Charles Villiers Stanford
- Laudate Dominum, K 339 – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
- Chanson de Normandie – George Arthur Richford
- How beautiful are the feet (Messiah) – George Frideric Handel
- Fanfare de Maris – Philip Moore
- The gateway of heaven – Paul Trepte
- Turn back, O man – Gustav Holst
- They that go down to the sea in ships – Grayston Ives
- The Lord is my light and my salvation – John Rutter
- In my Father's house – Philip Stopford
- For the fallen – Mark Blatchly
- A Song for St Cecilia – Matthew Coleridge