Gramophone Magazine
August 2022
Editor's Choice

The Sixteen, Harry Christophers

Will Todd, St John Henry Newman, Ben Dunwell: I Shall be an Angel of Peace
William Henry Harris, St John Henry Newman: Lead, Kindly Light
Anna Semple, St John Henry Newman, Robert Willis: A Meditation
Richard Runciman Terry, St John Henry Newman: Praise to the Holiest in the Height
Elgar: Great is the Lord, Op. 67
Lisa Robertson, St John Henry Newman, Robert Willis: ...a link in a chain...
Edward Elgar, St John Henry Newman: They are at Rest (Elegy)
William Boyce, St John Henry Newman: Firmly I Believe and Truly
Elgar: Give unto the Lord (Psalm XXIX), Op. 74
Eoghan Desmond, St John Henry Newman, Robert Willis: Nothing in Vain
James MacMillan, St John Henry Newman, Robert Willis: Nothing in Vain
Chilcott: O Lord, Thou Hast Searched me, and Known me

The five new choral works on this album – by James MacMillan, Will Todd, Anna Semple, Eoghan Desmond and Lisa Robertson – all grew from a meditation by St John Henry Newman. Newman was a theologian of towering stature and broad influence. Canonised in October 2019, Newman's writings represent a rich and thought-provoking legacy and, alongside the new works presented, are immortalised in three well-known hymns and Sir Edward Elgar’s exquisite elegy 'They are at rest'. Also included are two of Elgar’s psalm settings – 'Great is the Lord' and 'Give unto the Lord'. These are monumental works for choir and organ, full of grandeur and drama, but also inherently simple. The album ends with a Bonus track by Bob Chilcott - also a Genesis Foundation commission - based on Psalm 139.

"As with all of The Sixteen’s releases, this new one manages to magically bridge the old and the new with ingenuity and complete integrity...A generous programme both in length and breadth and a joyful inspiration." - Gramophone Magazine, August 2022.