Cecilia McDowall is widely acknowledged as one of Britain's most popular and successful composers. Her breadth of experience in performing, teaching and composing has helped to develop an original and distinctive style that speaks directly to both listeners and performers with a life-affirming, restorative strength. This is her third release on the Dutton Epoch label, and comprises beautiful original compositions that set various texts. Indeed, McDowall's skill in word setting has made her one of the finest composers of her generation of vocal and choral music. The Stabat Mater takes as its inspiration twelve of the fourteen verses of the Stabat Mater dolorosa from the Liber Usualis, while On Angel's Wing is a setting of John Clare's poem Love lies beyond the tomb, interspersed with plainchant taken from the Vatican Prefaces. This exquisite and exotic work audaciously juxtaposes sensitive lyricism in its solo writing with choral passages of great passion and joy. Each of the chosen texts for Three Latin Motets, for unaccompanied SSATB choir, is addressed to the Virgin Mary. Annunciation is a spaciously expressive carol for Advent for unaccompanied SSATB choir, and Deus, qui claro lumine is a setting of the Vesper hymn. The disc ends with the enchanting Lonely Hearts. Delicately scored for SSAA chorus, flute, clarinet, harp, violin, viola and cello, it sets three poems by the novelist Christie Dickason, each offering a different perspective on the theme of being alone.

CECILIA McDOWALL

Stabat Mater Sequence for the Feast of the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for baritone soloist, children's choir, mixed chorus and large ensemble

Eamonn Dougan (baritone)
ST CATHERINE SINGERS, HABERDASHERS' ASKES' GIRLS SCHOOL
CITY OF CANTERBURY CHAMBER CHOIR

ORCHESTRA NOVA
George Vass (conductor)

On Angel's Wing A cantata for soprano and baritone soloists, children's choir, mixed chorus, piano and percussion

Charlotte Mobbs (soprano)
Eamonn Dougan (baritone)

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL SINGERS
CITY OF CANTERBURY CHAMBER CHOIR
George Vass (conductor)

Gretel Dowdeswell (piano)
Nigel Shipway (percussion)

Three Latin Motets, for unaccompanied chorus; Annunciation, a carol for Advent
Deus, qui claro lumine, for unaccompanied chorusCP

CPClare Porter (soprano solo)

THE JOYFUL COMPANY OF SINGERS
Peter Broadbent (conductor)

Lonely Hearts, for upper voice chorus, flute, clarinet, harp, violin, viola and cello

SOUTH HAMPSTEAD HIGH SCHOOL SINGERS
ST CATHERINE SINGERS, HABERDASHERS' ASKES' GIRLS SCHOOL

ORCHESTRA NOVA ENSEMBLE
George Vass (conductor)
Kathryn Thomas (flute)
Catriona Scott (clarinet)
Suzanne Willison-Kawalec (harp)
Martin Smith (violin)
Sarah-Jane Bradley (viola)
Rebecca Leyton (cello)

Recorded at St Giles Cripplegate Church, London, 2-3 March 2007

CDLX 7197

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“... there is some really fine playing here from the members of Orchestra Nova ... truly beautifully sung [Lonely Hearts].” Ivan March, International Record Review, March 2008

“McDowall’s reputation for attractive, well-crafted and highly singable choral music has grown in recent years.” Philip Reed, Choir & Organ, April 2008