October 2006
CDs from The Priory Singers	Show Menu

The Priory Singers Belfast made their début in June 1986 and under the direction of their founder, Dr Harry Grindle, they rapidly established themselves as one of the country's leading chamber choirs. Their extensive repertoire includes music of all periods and their programmes frequently feature less familiar works as well as music specially written for them by local composers. They have broadcast on radio and television (BBC and RTE) and have made numerous appearances throughout Ireland. Over the years they have produced five CDs of church music. Here is what our reviewers thought of three of these.

Beside the Waters of Comfort— a Selection of Psalms

From time to time, one comes across a recording that catches one's imagination and creates an expectation that leads one to anticipate a particular outcome—the expectation of hearing something that is, at once, both familiar and loved and, at the same time, a little different by reason of a new interpretation of familiar subject matter. ‘Beside the Waters of Comfort’ is one such recording that created and delivered on this expectation.

On a technical level, I am struck by the glorious way that the twenty-six voices blend beautifully into one, producing a recording that has no pinch-points, no jarring moments to detract from what was, essentially, a prayerful interlude set to music. Some of the chants used in this recording will be recognisable by those who are familiar with the efforts of the choir in Howth. Others are not in the current Howth repertoire but are worth using in the future. The CD includes some chants that were composed for specific purposes. For example, the version of Psalm 67 was composed for a Harvest Festival Evensong at Kilbride parish Church. The versions of Psalms 75 and 76 were written for Evensong at St Patrick's Cathedral, Dublin. There is a particularly moving version of Psalm 23 'The Lord is my Shepherd'. I also liked the rendition of Psalm 26, the chant of which you'll recognise. Each track has its own attractiveness for different reasons. The final Psalm 150 is sung with a wonderful sense of genuine praise, the division between different voices giving it brilliant colour. The organ accompaniment was played by Dr Donald Davison

My overall reaction is that Dr Grindle is a very talented composer who has produced superb harmonies that are sympathetic to the particular psalms and he is an equally talented director who has produced a recording the musical value of which far exceeds the sum of its twenty-seven constituent parts organist included! This is the type of music one might choose to fill a few quiet moments to think, to pray or to meditate.

Mary Curley

Hymns of Love, Hope and Joy

Many will know of Dr Harry Grindle from his book 'Irish Cathedral Music' (1989) which displays his deep knowledge and evident love for Irish Cathedral music. This disc by the Priory Singers of 29 hymns (almost 80 minutes duration) is recorded in Belfast Cathedral under his direction, and accompanied by Philip Stopford. It is a compendium of hymnody, traditional and new, amongst other things illustrating Irish influence on the genre. I counted a dozen tracks with Irish connections ranging from words by Alexander and Lyte across compositions and arrangements by Wood, Hewson, and J.Vine.

Dr Grindle's own compositional skills are evident in his tunes 'Stranmillis' and 'Bangor Abbey' -all items, except four include arrangements, or descants by him.

Donald Davison's 'Kerrington' is aptly included and Alison Cadden's 'Ellen' arranged for unaccompanied voices by Grindle is for me the highlight of the disc.

The choir's diction is excellent within the Cathedral acoustic. Some of the soprano breathing and phrase challenges are notable. I particularly liked the tempos adopted in 'Angel Voices' and 'Now thank we all our God'.

Philip Stopford's playing is supportive and sensitive. The organ balance in 'Gopsal' with the controversial bridge notes could have been better but this is a very minor observation. I enjoyed the accompaniment to Dykes' 'Rivaulx' and Vine's strong arrangement of 'Moville' is wonderful. The lesser known Somerville's Praise to the Holiest tune (Chorus angelorum) with fine Amen concludes what is an uplifting and satisfying musical experience.

Derek Seymour.

Let Christians All With Joyful Mirth—Christmas Music from Northern Ireland

I must first comment about the excellence of the choice of contents on this CD. From the ethereal a cappella beauty of 'Puer natus in Bethlehem' by Philip Hammond to the exuberance of Havelock Nelson's 'The Heavenly Babe' and 'Rejoice! Rejoice' by Philip Stopford, both words and music combine to excite the senses and to do what words alone cannot.

There are twenty-six tracks on the disc, and eighteen composers, all of whom have strong connections with Northern Ireland. The composers have chosen little-known folk melodies from different countries for many of these settings. Of the solo verses here, I must commend to you the beautiful voice of Gwynneth Cockcroft, particularly in 'Christe salve'.

Two little gems on this disc must be 'There is no rose', an exquisite setting of very well-known words and 'The First Christmas' by John McDowell, confidently and delicately performed, and its luscious harmony is a joy!

Of the others, one of the most unusual and enjoyable of these is 'A Farmer's Carol'. In this, Alex McKee sets the narrative words of James J. Hamill at a speed similar to speech. In a similar way, Raymond Warren carefully leads the listener through the story in his setting of 'As Joseph was a-walking'.

For the fun of Christmas music, surely Philip Stopford's arrangement of 'We three Kings' and his 'Rejoice! Rejoice!' both lift the spirits. The fun disappears for 'The darkest midnight in December'. Here Philip Bolton takes the 'fluffiness' away from Christmas by choosing a text by William Devereux describing the birth of Christ as the atonement for human sin. The music is darkly atmospheric and, if I have to choose a favourite track from this disc, this would be it. Do listen to it in a darkened room, or candle-lit gothic church—I can guarantee you will not be left unmoved.

I cannot recommend this disc to you highly enough. There are so many reasons to buy it: the number of tracks, the worthwhile addition to your collection of relatively unknown pieces, the beauty of the music, combined with the fact that all of this music is home-grown. If I have to add some criticism, it would be that perhaps there might be more large-scale fast and rhythmic pieces to complement the soft and slow carols. Occasionally, too, some of the intonation is not quite perfect, and the tone can be slightly thin. However, these small points do not overshadow the polish with which Harry Grindle has prepared his singers. This CD deserves to do very well, and I shall certainly be contacting Mr Grindle, in the hope of performing some of this music with my cathedral choir.

Judy Martin

Priory Singers CDs may be purchased on-line from: http://www.thepriorysingersbelfast.com/
 

Mary Curley is a member of the choir of St Mary’s Howth and of the Seafield Singers.

Derek Seymour is organist of the Centenary Methodist Church Leeson Park.

Judy Martin is director of music at Christ Church Cathedral.

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