James O’Donnell
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For connoisseurs of choral music this is an essential buy. Outstanding performances of two rarely heard 20th-century masterpieces. —
Awards:
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Building a Library, March 2005, Also Recommended
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Gramophone Awards, 1998, Recording of the Year
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Gramophone Awards, 1998, Winner - Choral
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Penguin Guide, Rosette
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Dove, Weir & Martin (M): Choral works
RecommendedPeter Holder (organ), Westminster Abbey Choir, James O’Donnell
This excellent collection of contemporary British choral works is a breath of fresh air, offering a gladly unstuffy vision of church music for the 21st century...Beautifully performed and skilfully... —
Awards:
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Presto Recording of the Week, 4th February 2022
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Ludford: Missa Videte miraculum & Ave Maria, ancilla Trinitatis
Westminster Abbey Choir, James O'Donnell
James O’Donnell and the Westminster singers really understand this music and make a fine case for Ludford being a true (if neglected) master of polyphony. The disc kicks off with some serene,... —
Awards:
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Gramophone Awards, 2018, Shortlisted - Early Music
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Bairstow, Harris & Stanford: Choral Works
Peter Holder (organ)
Westminster Abbey Choir, James O'Donnell
The unison singing of the trebles in Stanford’s A Song of Wisdom is exquisite, while the full choir relishes both the drama and the wistful beauty of famous anthems such as Bairstow’s Blessed... —
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Britten: A Ceremony of Carols
RecommendedJames O'Donnell (organ), Sioned Williams (harp)
Choir of Westminster Cathedral, David Hill
A Ceremony of Carols sets nine medieval and 16th-century poems between the 'Hodie' of the plainsong Vespers. The sole accompanying instrument is a harp, but given the right acoustic, sensitive... —
Awards:
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Building a Library, December 2004, Also Recommended
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The Feast of St Michael and All Angels at Westminster Abbey (Michaelmas)
Robert Quinney (organ)
The Choir of Westminster Abbey, James O’Donnell
The choir, atmospherically recorded in the Abbey itself, sings this demanding repertoire with its customary zeal and a well-blended sound, and the performances are directed with the panache... —
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Poulenc: Mass in G and other works
Iain Simcock (organ)
The Choir of Westminster Cathedral, James O'Donnell
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…the Westminster Abbey Choir delivers its organ-accompanied programme with beautiful tonal colour and blend. —
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Where words and music most happily merge - for instance in Gibbons's Hosanna to the Son of David - the director and his vocalists exude confidence, animating melodic lines gracefully to reach... —
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Music for Remembrance
Roderick Williams (baritone), Christine Rice (mezzo-soprano)
Westminster Abbey Choir & Britten Sinfonia, James O’Donnell
This is an exquisite performance of the Durufle Requiem...The playing of the Britten Sinfonia is superb, Robert Quinney's fluid, immensely colourful organ-playing a joy to behold and Roderick... —
