A welcome new addition to the English Choral Music series on Naxos, and a glorious follow-up to the two best-selling John Rutter titles in the catalogue - Requiem and Mass of the Children.

The three works heard on this disc span a period of fifteen years from 1974-1990. John Rutter’s Gloria was a milestone in his career as it was the first major commission he had received from overseas, and sowed the seeds of his popularity in America. It remains an evergreen favourite with choirs worldwide for its freshness, drama and sheer beauty.

The joyous setting of the Magnificat was conceived, in the composer’s words, as ‘a bright Latin-flavoured fiesta’ and is performed here in its version for choir, organ and chamber orchestra.

This delightful choral album concludes with Rutter’s setting of the Te Deum, one of the church’s most ebullient hymns of praise to the Almighty.

The Choirs of St Albans Cathedral, conducted by Andrew Lucas, are on fine form in this, their first recording for Naxos.

“The sound of the choir is full and colourful throughout and the boys produce a very fine sound indeed matching their well-developed sound with mature musicianship” - The Organ