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DCD34134-CD
£24.99
In 2014, the University of Oxford’s Merton College celebrates its 750th year. Benjamin Nicholas and Peter Phillips’ specially conceived journey through seven centuries of choral repertoire provides a bird’s-eye view of some important moments in musical history, and features two composers personally associated with the College – John Dunstaple and Lennox Berkeley – as well as three new works commissioned for the anniversary celebrations. The choir, a relatively recent addition to this illustrious college’s complement of treasures, gives stylish and committed performances in the famous acoustic of Merton’s thirteenth-century chapel.
"The simplest point to make about this disc is that the singing is of the kind of even quality as to make it borderline unrecognisable as a college (and therefore 'youth') choir...there are points where there is a spin on the top notes of the sopranos that even some professional choirs fail to create in a consistent way."
"Though Merton is on the cusp of its 750th anniversary, this choir is a 2006 creation, yet has quickly gained distinction. Here it offers a panorama of world musical history...But it’s the transhistorical stylistic homogeneity of choral singing that comes through."
"This recently formed mixed-voice choir, youthful in both senses, displays fine musicianship, commitment and versatility"
"In only a few years the choir has established itself as one of the leading collegiate choirs in the UK. This, its third disc for Delphian, confirms that it is now, surely, one of the jewels in that label’s crown...The singing throughout this programme is superb"
"All of the music is beautifully sung"
LIMELIGHT
"a terrific program and it is sung very well by a mixed choir that is making a name for itself since going from being a minor player in Oxbridge choral music to one of the best collegiate choirs in the land after Benjamin Nicholas became director of music in 2008"
AMERICAN RECORD GUIDE
Category: Benjamin Nicholas, Choir of Merton College, Choral, Contemporary, Oxford, Peter Phillips