Experience the celestial harmonies of the Westminster Cathedral Choir with "Panis Angelicus – Favourite Motets from Westminster Cathedral," a timeless collection of sacred choral works released in November 1993. Under the direction of James O'Donnell, this album showcases the choir's renowned vocal prowess and deep spiritual resonance, making it a staple in the world of classical choral music.
The album features a diverse array of compositions, including beloved pieces like "Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring," "Ave Maria," and "Panis Angelicus" itself, each rendered with exquisite precision and devotion. The choir's performance is complemented by the masterful arrangements and conducting of James O'Donnell and Iain Simcock, ensuring a listening experience that is both uplifting and profound.
Spanning a little over an hour, this album is a testament to the enduring beauty of Gregorian chant and choral music. From the serene "Ave Maria" to the majestic "Symphony No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 52 'Hymn of Praise'," each track is a masterclass in vocal harmony and spiritual expression. Whether you're a seasoned classical enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding journey through some of the most cherished motets performed by the Westminster Cathedral Choir.
Recorded with impeccable clarity and released under the Hyperion label, "Panis Angelicus – Favourite Motets from Westminster Cathedral" is a must-listen for anyone seeking the purest form of sacred choral music. The album's 18 tracks, ranging from traditional hymns to intricate motets, provide a comprehensive overview of the choir's repertoire and their unparalleled ability to evoke a sense of peace and reverence.
Ave Maria, Op. 23 No. 2, MWV B19Felix Mendelssohn, James O'Donnell, Andrew Carwood, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben, BWV 147: Jesu, Joy of Man's Desiring (Arr. Whittaker)Johann Sebastian Bach, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell
Ave verum corpusColin Mawby, Iain Simcock, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
O salutaris hostiaGioachino Rossini, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Faire Is the HeavenWilliam Harris, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave Maria, H. 49Gustav Holst, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave Maria, CG 89a (After Bach, BWV 846/1)[Arr. Mawby]Charles Gounod, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir, Nicholas Keay, James O'Donnell
Maria, mater gratiae, Op. 47 No. 2Gabriel Fauré, Iain Simcock, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave verum corpus, Op. 2 No. 1Edward Elgar, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell
Ave verum corpus, K. 618Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, James O'Donnell, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Ave maris stella, EG 150Edvard Grieg, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Tantum ergoDéodat de Séverac, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Hymne à la Vierge, Op. 24Pierre Villette, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Psalm 23 "The Lord Is My Shepherd", D. 706Franz Schubert, James O'Donnell, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Symphony No. 2 in B-Flat Major, Op. 52 "Hymn of Praise": I Waited for the Lord (Sung in English)Felix Mendelssohn, Eamonn O'Dwyer, Iain Simcock, James O'Donnell, Mark Kennedy, Westminster Cathedral Choir
Cantique de Jean Racine, Op. 11Gabriel Fauré, Iain Simcock, Westminster Cathedral Choir, James O'Donnell
Nunc dimittis, H. 127Gustav Holst, James O'Donnell, Westminster Cathedral Choir, Andrew Carwood, Anton Viesel