Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

In the interesting notes he provides for his choir's latest CD, Andrew Lucas, master of the music at St Albans Cathedral, considers the question of what exactly the term "romanticism" implies when applied to music. Ultimately, he does not find an answer to the question but the music illuminates the discussion more than words. The five composers featured are all German and all working within what we would call the romantic tradition but romanticism filtered through the stained glass of the Church. We open with the title track, Johannes Brahms' "Geistliches Lied" for choir with organ accompaniment. This is followed by "Ach, Arme Welt" by the same composer. This is one of his last and is sung here a cappella. Then the organist, Simon Johnson, gets a turn with another piece by Brahms before we move on to what is, for this reviewer, the highlight: Josef Rheinberger's "Mass In E Flat". Another organ solo follows, a Benedictus by Max Reger. Next come two pieces by Felix Mendelssohn: "Ave Maria" with a fine tenor solo by Mark Bushby and "Verlieh Uns Frieden" and we conclude with two choral pieces by Anton Bruckner: "Os Justi" and "Locus Iste". The Choir is in excellent voice throughout and this is an enjoyable CD.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

Interested in reviewing music? Find out more here.