From established favourites by Ralph Vaughan Williams and Sir John Tavener, to recent works—including two premiere recordings—by Sir James MacMillan, this is an outstanding programme of choral works with strong musical and historical connections to Westminster Abbey and its celebrated choir.

Henry III was not a good king. Despite its length (from 1216-1272), his reign was beset with political crises and intermittent civil wars as sundry warring factions sought to exploit the instability of Henry’s rule. And yet, whatever his weaknesses as king, from posterity’s point of view Henry’s reputation is redeemed by one overwhelming achievement (as he himself would surely have wished): the rebuilding of Westminster Abbey in the 13th century. Although a place of Christian worship had been a continual presence on the site since the mid-10th century, the magnificent Gothic abbey as we know it largely owes its existence to Henry.

The fabric and furnishings of the building represent the arts and crafts down the ages at their best, and we have often used images from the abbey itself on the covers of our extensive catalogue of albums made by the abbey choir. Much of the abbey’s artistic heritage is centuries old, but as our recent release of choral music by Vaughan Williams, James MacMillan and John Tavener features wholly 20th- and 21st-century repertoire, it felt appropriate to use something rather more contemporary. Alan Younger’s stained glass designs for the Lady Chapel date from 2000 and are simply stunning. Although not a ‘Music for Royal Occasions’-style album, some of the works programmed were either commissioned for, or are associated with, specific events of state held at the abbey, including the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 (O taste and see), her funeral in 2022 (Who shall separate us?), and the funeral of Princess Diana in 1997 (Song for Athene). And, like many of our Westminster Abbey albums, it demonstrates how the choir has flourished under the direction of James O’Donnell, with whom Hyperion has been privileged to work throughout his distinguished tenure at the Abbey. We wish him well in his post at Yale.