The compelling body of sacred choral works left by William Petter at his death in October 2016 reflect his deep connection with the European choral tradition and reveal a distinctive personal idiom. The St. Magnus Mass for six unaccompanied voices draws on influences from Frank Martin, via Walton and Kodály, to Leonard Bernstein, while the Vigil Mass places the plainsong Missa de Angelis alongside a richly-varied organ texture. The three motets show further aspects of Petter’s aesthetic in writing both for large-scale choral forces (The Good Shepherd is Risen; Come Down O Love Divine) and for a more intimate dynamic (The Lord’s Prayer).

Recorded in the beautiful acoustic of the Chapel of the Royal Hospital, Chelsea, Ablaze with Light is performed by musicians who represent many of London and the UK’s finest chamber choirs and vocal ensembles. All close friends of William Petter, the choir was ‘hand-picked’ by the composer and the disc recorded just two weeks after his death. All proceeds from this recording will go to Sarcoma UK.