Let all the world in every corner sing

Balfour Gardiner Evening Hymn; Ireland Greater Love Hath No Man; Bairstow Blessed City, heavenly Salem; Lord, thou hast been our refuge; Hadley My beloved spake; Wood O thou the central orb; Wood Expectans Expectavi; Harwood O how glorious is the kingdom; Leighton Let all the world in every corner sing; Dove Seek him that maketh the seven stars; Matthew Martin St Albans Triptych.

The Choir of Trinity College Cambridge
Stephen Layton
Harrison Cole and Jonathan Lee organ
Hyperion CDA68454
https://www.hyperion-records.co.uk/

There's a line in John Ireland's wonderful anthem Greater Love – 'out of darkness into marvellous light' – that could apply to this richly sung disc from the choir of Trinity College Cambridge.

The warmth of tone and blend from the choir is exemplary, their singing an explosion of joyful sound, whilst the wonderful textures from the organ of Ely Cathedral and the choice of repertoire make this a perfect release from what was probably one of Stephen Layton's last recording sessions with the choir before he left the college.

It's a glorious choice of repertoire, with potboilers all sung with delightful attention to every detail. The orchestral sounds of the organ make for a highly rewarding experience, not least in the opening and closing works: Balfour Gardiner's Evening Hymn (Jonathan Lee accompanying) and especially Bairstow's Lord, thou hast been our refuge, where Harrison Cole's masterful agility makes the organ shine through with wonderful resonance and expressive strings. The control of the crescendo and diminuendo from the choir and organist in the Amen of Bairstow's work rounds off a disc that exemplifies quality musicianship throughout. Cole also captures the wonderful harmonics and rhythmic vitality of Matthew Martin's organ solo work, St Albans triptych. The use of colour from the Ely instrument makes for an exciting performance.

The sound engineering is excellent; the balance between voices and organ superbly captured in the acoustics of Ely Cathedral.

This is a fabulous disc that deserves the widest possible audience.