Britten / Byrd – The Choir Of Jesus College

   in Choir & Organ (May, 2017)
This recording from the Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge, under its former director Mark Williams, pairs two British composers active three centuries apart, in a richly satisfying programme that shows the music and the performers to great effect. The CD employs both of the college’s choirs – the mixed voices of the College Choir, and the all-male Chapel Choir. It was a clever ploy that enhances the disc’s pleasure, as the tonal sonority is regularly changing. Of the Byrd items, the eight-part Quomodo cantabimus from the College Choir is particularly fine, with well-matched vocal lines throughout. Writing for the church inspired Britten to compose some jewel-like miniatures. The Herbert setting …