Listen & tracks

1 of 13 tracks have a preview · 13 works · 60:09

1 Miserere Gregorio Allegri 12:57
2 Sing Joyfully unto God William Byrd 2:33
3 Beata viscera William Byrd 2:24
4 Hæc dies William Byrd 2:27
5 O magnum mysterium Francis Poulenc 2:54
6 Quem vidistis pastores Francis Poulenc 2:19
7 Videntes stellam Francis Poulenc 2:47
8 Hodie Christus natus est Francis Poulenc 2:15
9 Hymn to Saint Cecilia Benjamin Britten 9:47
10 Agnus Dei (Adagio for Strings) Samuel Barber 6:56
11 Singet dem Herren ein neues Lied Johann Sebastian Bach 4:48
12 Chorale: Wie sich ein Vater erbarmet Johann Sebastian Bach 4:34
13 Lobet den Herrn in seinen Thaten Johann Sebastian Bach 3:28

1997 Soundscapes' Awards – Australian Vocal category finalist.

This fifth recording centres on Miserere by Gregorio Allegri, three pieces by William Byrd, Poulenc’s four Christmas motets, Britten’s Hymn to St. Cecilia, Barber’s choral arrangement of the Adagio for Strings, and three movements from Bach’s double-choir motet Singet dem Herren ein neues Lied.

Since 1982 the choir has built an international reputation for virtuosic unaccompanied singing, ranging here from Renaissance polyphony through twentieth-century motets to Bach.

Reviews

it certainly confirms claims that Melbourne's Choir of Ormond College is one of the best in this country and a serious candidate for international recognition. Bach, Byrd, Poulenc and Britten would no doubt agree. Superb.

— Lesly Sly, Panorama

The singing is excellent ... as we have come to expect.

— ABC 24 Hours

youthful vigor ... freshness of tone and a determination to overcome the technical difficulties an adventurous repertory presents.

— Tony Way, The Age - Green Guide

Something, I would think, to please everyone

— Henry Howell, Australian Music Teacher Magazine

Artists

The Choir of Ormond College

choir

The Choir of Ormond College has, since its founding in 1982 under Douglas Lawrence, become the first Australian choir to earn ongoing international recognition for its concert and recorded work.

Douglas Lawrence

director

Melbourne organist Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music at The Scots' Church and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne. He founded the Choir of Ormond College and directed it from 1982 to 2006.

Johann Sebastian Bach

composer

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685–1750) was a German composer and organist of the late Baroque. His sacred and secular music for choir, orchestra, organ and solo instruments remains among the foundations of the Western concert and church repertory.

Samuel Barber

composer

Samuel Barber's scores favour long melodic lines and traditional harmony over mid-century experiment. His catalogue ranges from the Adagio for Strings and its choral Agnus Dei to French art songs and an early Cello Sonata of strong, clear ideas.

Benjamin Britten

composer

Edward Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) was an English composer, conductor and pianist. His operas are firmly established in the international repertoire, and more of them are played worldwide than those of any other composer born in the twentieth century.

William Byrd

composer

William Byrd wrote English Renaissance polyphony that still defines the choral repertory: Latin motets of fierce concentration, three Masses of luminous restraint, Anglican services and anthems, plus keyboard and consort music of dancing invention.

Francis Poulenc

composer

Francis Poulenc's music swings from boulevard wit to peasant devotion. Perpetual-motion piano, chamber sonatas, horn élégies, Christmas and penitential motets, a Gloria, and songs that can flirt, mourn or protest sit side by side in the catalogue.

Gregorio Allegri

composer

Gregorio Allegri (c. 1582–1652) was an Italian Catholic priest and composer of the Roman School. He is best known for his Miserere, a setting of Psalm 51 written for the Sistine Chapel.