Stephen Layton Archive

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) = Choral Music – Trinity College Choir Cambridge, Owain Park and Alexander Hamilton, organists / Trinity Brass / Stephen Layton (cond.) Hyperion

by Audiophile Audition | Jun 28, 2017 | Classical CD Reviews

Sir Charles Villiers STANFORD (1852-1924) = Choral Music – Trinity College Choir Cambridge / Owain Park and Alexander Hamilton, organists / Trinity Brass / Stephen Layton (conductor) Hyperion CDA68174 (6/30/17) TT: 81:02 ****: A fine recording and performance of Anglican Music by Sir Charles Villiers Stanford What a nice CD from Hyperion, celebrating the music of Sir Charles Villiers Stanford. Stanford was arguably the most famous Irish composer before independence. Born into a musical family, he began his musical education in 1870 at Cambridge, and later at Trinity College. As a teacher, he could proudly count among his students Ralph Vaughan Williams, Gustav Holst, John Ireland among many others. The program on this disc spans a wide range of Stanford’s Anglican Choral music. This is a highly listenable album, with quiet contemplative tunes along with some stunning and inspiring dynamic music. The recording, in the Hereford Cathedral and in the Trinity College Chapel is a fine one, with excellent dynamic range and deep, deep organ pedals. The combination of voice, organ and brass makes for a potent brew, and the recording and performances  simply can’t be faulted. Musical highlights for me include the Fantasia and Toccata for organ, which includes […]