Walton

The Twelve, Coronation Te Deum, Missa Brevis, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis

Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

William Walton's compositional career spanned an enormous period of change in the history of classical music.

Before the Second World War he was considered to be the great new hope of British music with his use of syncopated rhythms and wide harmonies, but after the war other European composers took a giant leap to form the modernist movement which left Walton behind in the critics' eyes.

However, time has played its part and taught today's critics and scholars that William Walton had a great deal to offer, particularly in the field of composition which seems to have been his speciality - sacred choral music.

This particular recording deals solely with this aspect of Walton's expertise and the superb renderings from the St John's College choir allow the listener to appreciate the fine nuances of Walton's scoring, particularly where there are words involved.

Track Number 2, A Litany (Drop, drop slow tears), is a concise example of beautifully crafted composition following the rise and fall of the sentiments of the three verse poem composed by Phineas Fletcher. It is almost unbelievable that Walton had already mastered the skills necessary to produce this work at the tender age of 15.

Two particular favourites of mine include the Nunc Dimittis in which the listener is treated to a breathtaking moment towards the end of this brief prayer in which the inspired use of tight harmonies and dramatic dynamics stops you in your tracks.

And again, in the following track Where does the uttered music go? Walton rises to the challenge of the spiritual words of John Masefield with a roller coaster performance weaving in and out of the sentiments conveyed.

If you enjoy the convention of sacred music treated with a fresh harmonic and dynamic twist you are sure to relish this recording.

Naxos DDD 8.555793