King's College Choir joins forces with the Britten Sinfonia, Ailish Tynan and Roderick Williams for this album of two much-loved choral works. Both are recorded in orchestrations for smaller forces to match the size of the Chapel Choir: the Dona nobis pacem is presented in a brand-new arrangement for small orchestra, commissioned for this recording, resulting in an intimate performance that brings new and different colours to Vaughan Williams’ work. The Chichester Psalms is performed in Bernstein’s own orchestration for organ, harp and percussion, and both performances include the recently-restored Harrison & Harrison organ in King’s College Chapel. Baritone Roderick Williams, who received an OBE in June 2017 for services to music, and “radiant” (Sunday Times) soprano Ailish Tynan join as Dona nobis pacem soloists, while the treble solo in the Chichester Psalms is sung here by 11-year-old chorister George Hill. The recording is accompanied by a specially-commissioned essay on these two ‘peace works’, and an analysis of the new orchestration. In recognition of the American connections in both works – those of Bernstein and Dona nobis pacem poet Walt Whitman – the album is also available with a free download of The Road Home by the contemporary American composer Stephen Paulus. In celebration of the new recording, the College is giving away two free tickets to the Choir's forthcoming performance of the two works featured on the recording at the Barbican Centre in London on Saturday 2 December. For more information, follow the link below. Bernstein Tickets Competition > Buy the album from King's College Recordings > Stream or download the album >
