Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge - Magnificat (2019) [Official Digital Download 24/96]

Magnificat was recorded to explore the breadth of imagination with which composers have approached the texts, which have been sung in Christian worship for over 1000 years. Stanford’s starting point was the Germanic symphonic tradition; Howells took his inspiration from the architecture and acoustics of the Cathedral in Gloucester; Tippett was inspired by the unique Spanish trumpet stop at St John’s.

With the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis being part of the daily evensong, the choir sings an arrangement of the texts in some form at least once everyday. This is therefore a collection of pieces which the choir sing on a regular basis. The Evening Cantincles chosen for this record relate to a particular period of music making in the life of St John’s conductor, Andrew Nethsingha; his time at the Royal College of Music; at Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals, and lastly his time at St John’s.

Founded in the 1670s, The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world – known and loved by millions for its rich, warm and distinctive sound, expressive interpretations and ability to sing in a variety of styles.

"The Tippett, opening with an arresting organ fanfare (organist Glen Dempsey), sounds the most inventive and brilliant, while the Howells and Jackson, like the rest of the disc beautifully sung, capture a wintry mood of dusk and meditation." (The Observer)

Tracklist:
01. Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in A: Magnificat
02. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A: Nunc Dimittis
03. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (The Second Service): Magnificat
04. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (The Second Service): Nunc Dimittis
05. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A: Magnificat
06. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis in A: Nunc dimittis
07. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Gloucester Service): Magnificat
08. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Gloucester Service): Nunc Dimittis
09. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Truro Service): Magnificat
10. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Truro Service): Nunc Dimittis
11. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Collegium Sancti Johannis Cantabrigiense): Magnificat
12. Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (Collegium Sancti Johannis Cantabrigiense): Nunc Dimittis

Personnel:
Glen Dempsey, organ
Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge
Andrew Nethsingha, direction