Price: £9.99

Cat No: BMCD901

Track List

Following on from Dusk Songs, The Ebor Singers' first recording for Boreas which included works by Kerry Andrew, James Macmillan and Ivan Moody, the choir continue to explore contemporary British sacred music. Two of the works on this disc, Kerry Andrew's York Mass and Philip Moore's Pilgrimage, were commissioned to celebrate the Ebor Singers' 15th anniversary in 2008, and are recorded here for the first time.

The Ebor Singers
Directed by Paul Gameson

REVIEWS

The Ebor Singers, a disciplined, well-knit chamber choir, is being championed on disc by the York-based Boreas label. Two of the works here, Kerry Andrew's York Mass and Philip Moore's Pilgrimage, were commissioned for an ensemble which shirks no challenge under director Paul Gameson. The York Mass is brilliantly expressive while the Moore piece reveals an aptitude for delicate colour in the resonant acoustic of St Chad's, York. Crowning a first-rate enterprise is Jonathan Dove's modern classic, The Three Kings.

RC

Yorkshire Post

This new release by York's own label Boreas look set to cause a splash among the cathedral choir fraternity and should also give huge pleasure to many outside it.

Premiere recordings of major works by Kerry Andrew and Philip Moore make the disc especially rewarding. Andrew's highly assured York Mass celebrates the choir's 15th anniversary in 2008. Its general mood is sombre but with surprising bursts of emotion, especially in the Sanctus. Herbert Howells' early Salve Regina (1915) sits easily in this company and boasts some gorgeous harmonies. Jonathan Dove's setting of Dorothy Sayers's The Three Kings is a surprise and delight.

Moore's Pilgrimage is a charming five-part journey cleverly constructed around the hymn I Heard The Voice Of Jesus Say (Kingsfold). Words are not always totally clear in the spacious acoustic of St Chad's Church, but choir ensemble is mouth-wateringly precise. Motets by Tarik O’Regan and Michael Finnissy complete this pleasing menu.

Martin Dreyer

York Evening Press

If you thought that the sacred repertoire of British choirs consisted of the music of composers long dead then think again. This excellently produced and sung CD showcases a collection of contemporary composers active in this genre. Many are not so well known now, but they all deserve wider exposure. They include, Kerry Andrew, a former York University music student; Tarik O'Regan who was described by The Observer as "one of the most original and eloquent of young British composers" and is the current professor of composition at the University Of Southampton; and the comparatively better known Philip Moore and Jonathan Dove. All their works have their merits but, for me, the highlights were Jonathan Dove's carol "The Three Kings" originally written for King's College Cambridge and "Pilgrimage" by elder statesman, Philip Moore, given its premiere recording here. 'New Horizons' also showcases a piece by a past master Howells' "Salve Regina" (Howells) which is a gem. The Ebor Singers, under their director Paul Gameson, sing a cappella and prove themselves here to be a truly outstanding choir. With such attractive material this is an album to be enjoyed again and again.

Simon Carpenter

www.crossrhythms.co.uk

New Horizons was recorded on 17th, 8th March 2009 in St Chad’s Church, York.

Recording, Engineering & Mastering: David Rose
Producer: David Pipe
Design: Northern Storm Design