In 2014, Merton celebrated its 750th year. Benjamin Nicholas and Peter Phillips' specially conceived programme journeys through three-quarters of a millennium of choral repertoire.
Not just a demonstration of this accomplished ensemble's versatility, the recording also provides a bird's-eye view of some important moments in musical history, and features two composers – John Dunstaple and Lennox Berkeley – associated with the College as well as three works specially commissioned for the anniversary celebrations.
The choir gives stylish and committed performances in the famous acoustic of Merton's chapel.
Ēriks Ešenvalds – Magnificat (Merton College Service)
Ēriks Ešenvalds – Nunc dimittis (Merton College Service)
John Dunstaple – Veni Sancte Spiritus/Veni Creator
John Sheppard – Libera nos, salva nos I
Arvo Pärt – The Woman with the Alabaster Box
Hubert Parry – There is an old belief
William Byrd – Praise our Lord, all ye gentiles
Orlando Gibbons – This is the record of John
Lennox Berkeley – Veni sponsa Christi
Henry Purcell – Hear my prayer, O Lord
Henry Purcell – Remember not, Lord, our offences
Ralph Vaughan Williams – Valiant-for-truth
Charles Villiers Stanford – Justorum animae
Charles Villiers Stanford – Beati quorum via
William Mundy – Magnificat (Second Service ‘in F fa ut’)
William Mundy – Nunc dimittis (Second Service ‘in F fa ut’)
James Lavino – Beati quorum via
Maurice Greene – Lord, let me know mine end
Ola Gjeilo – Sacred Origins
American Record Guide
March 2014
…this is 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.
Gramophone magazine
February 2014
The singing is of the kind of even quality as to make it unrecognisable as a college — and therefore 'youth' — choir
Sunday Times
December 2013
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
MusicWeb International
November 2013
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