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William Byrd : Anthems, Motets and Services
Griffin and Company Limited GCCD 4048 2005 65m 16s
Reviewed by Ted Wusskin. April 2005
". . . melodious Birde . . . sweet musickes frende"
In this recording we are immediately aware of three of the
most beautiful treasures of our homeland. As cultural experience
evolves, and values fluctuate, one or other of these becomes
an endangered species but on this CD we hear that, at the
present time, they all still endure in Hereford.
The first is the music of William Byrd, a man described in
the CD booklet as being "undoubtedly the greatest English
composer of his time, fully equal to his continental contemporaries
Palestrina, Lassus and Victoria".
The second treasure is that special ambience fashioned by our
ancestors and loved and preserved by generations of those who
care about our glorious heritage of cathedral and church building.
The third is the sound of boys' voices, especially in combination
with the other two. This sound is more than merely a choice among
several for it represents a commitment to the preservation of a
living tradition of sound dating back to the composition of the music
and before.
The music of Byrd, sung by boys and men, inside the ancient
stones of Hereford may not be to everyone's taste for one reason
or another. There may be even better performances of individual
works, but this is beside the point. This recording provides a welcome
experience of good English cathedral music. It is to be hoped that its
creation will awaken an interest among the boys who were a part
of it so that some will be inspired to maintain the tradition. It
will certainly provide for those who visit Hereford, and hear its
talented choristers, an opportunity to relive the experience. Let us
hope that it will also inspire others to visit the cathedral in order to
enjoy, live, such lovely singing.
Many CDs of cathedral choirs demonstrate the wide range of their
musical activities with varied programmes, in which styles and
content may sit uneasily beside one another. There are times when
this approach is welcome. Some listeners, however, will wish to
turn the lights low after dinner, close their eyes, and be transported
to another place, another time. Griffin's CD of Hereford Cathedral Choir,
sensitively directed by Geraint Bowen, and intelligently recorded
by Lance Andrews, will provide such an opportunity (and under three
months after its recording in January 2005).
A footnote in the CD booklet reminds us of another unique British
institution, cherished and preserved for us by enthusiasts. In this
case their sacrificial contribution to the recording was their non-participation.
"Special thanks to . . . the bell-ringers of St Nicholas Church, Hereford"
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