Christ Rising

Besides the general excellence of the performances one other point is noteworthy, I think. In most recitals of this nature it is usually the Director of Music who is to the fore, directing the choir while the Organ Scholar appears very much as the junior partner, contributing accompaniments and the occasional voluntary. Not in this case. This is very much a collaborative venture even including the (excellent) notes, which are jointly credited to Owen Rees and his Organ Scholar, Edward Whiting. They share the conducting of the choir and theirs is evidently a most successful partnership. Whiting is the thoughtful and musical performer who plays the four Bach chorales on the college organ, a two-manual, Danish instrument built in 1965 which suits these lovely little meditations to perfection.

The recording was made in the college chapel just a few days after Easter Sunday when presumably much if not all of the music was fresh in the minds of the performers after the Holy Week services. The sound is excellent: well balanced with just the right amount of space and ambience around the voices. If this repertoire is to your taste, as it is to mine, you will find this recital a very satisfying experience. Warmly recommended. John Quinn - Classical Music on the Web – 20 October 2001

The choir of The Queen’s College is a mixed ensemble (9-5-5-6) with female sopranos and a combination of male and female altos. The sound is very smooth and refined, with a good choral blend. The sopranos use a straight and fairly delicate tone, but they do not sound like boys. Choral ensemble and intonation are excellent Judging from this recording, they are exceptionally well attuned to the expressive world of this repertory. American Record Guide - April 2002