CELEBRATING 53,000 Classical CD reviews on-line (Sept 2016); 21,000 page views each day. Return to MusicWeb International
Grace Williams Missa Cambrensis
Posted by Colin Mackie on March 22, 2025, 6:59 pm
May I say how heartily I endorse everything said by John France and John Quinn in their enthusiastic reviews of the Lyrita recording of the Missa Cambrensis. I find the work intensely and profoundly moving. It is hugely to Lyrita's credit that the company should have gone to the immense effort of producing such a new recording. There was, if I recall, originally the idea of issuing a recording of the live performance from a few years back but that would have been (for various reasons) unsatisfactory. The new recording is a triumph for all those who took part. It is so very sad that we have had to wait 54 years for a recording of such a superb major Welsh choral composition. It is always rather greedy in such circumstances to ask for another. I would however draw attention to the very substantial and very fine Oratorio "St.Peter" by Daniel Jones. Composed in 1962 this also deserves to be recorded with similar devotion to excellence.
And I heartily agree with you,Colin! After the original release was pulled,I recall some admirers of the composer were pessimistic about the prospect of any recording appearing in the near future,if at all;so this comes as a wonderful and unexpected surprise. And maybe it was a good thing the original plan was abandoned,because,as you say,a good studio recording is obviously a preferable option. I do agree that it is very sad that a major welsh choral composition has taken such a long time to gain a recording. I could say the same for the length of time it took for a complete cycle of the magnificent symphonies of Daniel Jones.Indeed,in the context of Wales itself,this is a major cycle by one of our greatest composers;and I say this as a Welshman! Thank goodness for Lyrita! I also agree with you about the oratorio "St.Peter". This is a fine work and,as you say,deserves to be recorded with similar devotion to excellence.
