Choir's new CD garners five-star reviews
A new CD of choral music by British composer Richard Allain has been released to very positive reviews, including five stars for both performance and recording from BBC Music Magazine.
Director of Music Benjamin Nicholas, who conducted the Merton College Choir on the recording, said:
"Merton’s association with Richard Allain goes back to 2013 when we commissioned him to write two Epiphany Carols for the Merton Choirbook. His settings, of texts by his brother, are perfectly crafted for our choir, and provided an ideal introduction to Richard’s unique sound world. We have been thrilled with the reaction to the disc."
Writing in BBC Music Magazine, George Hall said:
"These beautifully shaped performances by a finely constituted and fearless mixed choir offer a convincing array of colour, texture and dynamics. The sound is rich and full, allowed to breathe in an ideal acoustic."
Gramophone magazine's review was similarly enthusiastic, describing the CD as:
"a stimulating and beautifully sung collection, which connoisseurs of the great British choral heritage should rush to buy."
Choral music is at the heart of Richard Allain's output. His work has been performed by many of the country’s leading choirs and musicians, and he was, for many years, Composer in Association for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. His music is regularly performed and broadcast within the UK and in countries throughout the world.
