Whether writing for amateurs or the most virtuosic set of vocal gymnasts, he has the knack of powerfully conveying his musical vision. The Elysian Singers under Sam Laughton comfortably take everything here in their stride in a well-conceived collection that groups the pieces into four groups: Psalms, Poems, Folk Tradition, and Prayers.

The [Elysian] Singers’ rounded, bright tone under director Sam Laughton is nicely captured by Signum in this release, which explores MacMillan’s wide and varied contribution to the choral medium. From the blazing ‘choral fanfare’ Blow the trumpet in the new moon to a major setting of Psalm 51, this CD, while obviously a timely celebration of one of the UK’s leading composers, is also a fine introduction to MacMillan’s œuvre.

MacMillan’s strength lies in his ability to fuse sacred polyphonic, secular popular, folk and modernist elements into a musical language that remains distinct and immediately identifiable…This is an impressive recording overall. A case, perhaps, of ‘first among equals’.