‘What a beautifully crafted disc this is—not just in its quality (and it really is Trinity at their absolute best) but also in its shape and programming … [an] outstanding release’ (Gramophone)

‘Trinity’s mixed young adults are effortless in the ease with which they respond to Layton’s exacting demands … Layton’s idiomatically fine-tuned direction lovingly sculpts the rolling contours with the imprimatur of a true connoisseur’ (BBC Music Magazine)

‘The recording, I think, is as fine as the performances … the singing of Trinity College Choir under Stephen Layton [is] beautifully focused—superbly controlled, the climaxes soaring heavenwards with an ease and power [in the Magnificat] that's emblematic of the whole album. This is the highest quality choral Finzi’ (BBC Record Review)

‘It was apparent from the opening bars that this was to be a CD of outstanding quality—in respect of the music (Finzi was a true original), performance (Layton and the Trinity College forces in top form), and sound production (David Hinitt the recording engineer and Adrian Peacock the producer) … all in all, this CD is a masterly production by all concerned and demands to be heard’ (British Music Society Journal)

‘It’s probably impertinent to say that Stephen Layton has already proved himself over and over; no departure here … this is a very fine collection … with much to reward the listener’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘We are accustomed, happily, to excellent recorded recitals from Stephen Layton and the Trinity College Choir. This is another fine example of their work. The blend of the voices is ideal and these student choristers sing with an excellent mixture of maturity and freshness. Words are clear throughout, as are the choral textures. In the accompanied piece the two organ scholars, Alexander Hamilton and Asher Oliver, make first-rate contributions. The recording was in the safe hands of engineer David Hinitt and producer Adrian Peacock. Both are massively experienced in recording programmes of the kind and it shows: the sound has warmth and clarity with just the right mount of resonance round the voices. The organ is balanced very well with the choir. Francis Pott’s notes are insightful and valuable’ (MusicWeb International)

‘Stephen Layton leads one of the best choral ensembles in the world for this repertoire … with Trinity Choir’s attention to detail and unaffected clarity—the top line in particular is a kind of perfection—these famous works glow. And it is a nice touch that Layton adds brass and percussion to God is Gone Up … it is not always that the liner notes for a recording need mention. But these here are provided by none other than Francis Pott, the celebrated British composer, and are beautifully done’ (Catholic Herald)

‘The performances seem to me absolutely superb. Trinity College Choir is made up of current undergraduates, and so has a continually changing membership. Nevertheless, Stephen Layton has welded them into a coherent and consistent ensemble, rhythmically crisp, tonally warm, sensitive to the rapidly changing moods of the music and rising effortlessly—or so at least it seems—to the climaxes and complex passages. I cannot imagine better performances’ (MusicWeb International)» More

‘It’s been a while since a recording devoted to Gerald Finzi’s shorter choral works has appeared, so this superb Hyperion is more than welcome … I cannot imagine performances better than these. This excellently produced release comes with texts and a comprehensive booklet note’ (Classical Source)» More