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Track(s) taken from SIGCD151

Haec dies

composer
Herbert Howells (1892-1983)
author of text
Bible
Psalm 117 (118): 24

Christ Church Cathedral Choir, Dublin, Judy Martin (conductor)
Recording details: February 2008
St Bartholomew's Church, Dublin, Ireland
Produced by Mark Wardell
Engineered by Mike Hatch
Release date: November 2008
Total duration: 2 minutes 38 seconds
 

Reviews

'This Mass is quintessential Howells and the beauty of the vocal lines come through clearly on this recording … a welcome addition to the recorded works of Howells both on account of the repertoire it covers and because of it's fine performances' (Musical Criticism.com)» More

'For the second time this month I've been left dumbstruck by a Dublin choir, this one to be heard at Christ Church Cathedral, under the direction of Judy Martin. They somehow manage to rid Herbert Howell (1892-1983) of his faintly astringent English churchiness and find the love between the lines of his hymns. There are moments here that Messiaen would have envied' (Scena, Canada)

Haec dies was the last in a series of Latin motets that Howells wrote at the behest of Richard Terry for the choir of Westminster Roman Catholic Cathedral. Terry built up the choir in the early years of the twentieth century, and through his work in editing the manuscripts of Tudor composers, rediscovered a rich repertoire of unaccompanied liturgical music. Terry was also keen to encourage modern composers, including Howells, to write in a liturgical idiom. This Easter motet was first heard in the Cathedral on Easter Day, 1918.

from notes by Paul Andrews © 2008

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