Archive
Recordings of Belfast Cathedral Choir
CHRISTMAS MUSIC FROM BELFAST CATHEDRAL - 1973
New Irish Recording Company (no longer in existence) – vinyl disc
Code no. NIR 005
Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in 1973
Producer: Bill Somerville-Large
Sleeve Design and Layout: Bill Bolger
Photography by Browne of Larne
Printed by Earlsfort Press, Dublin
Director and Solo Organist: Harry Grindle
Assistant Organist: Edwin Gray
Sleeve notes include descriptions of the Cathedral, the choir, the Organist and Master of the Choristers, the organ and the music
SIDE 1
1. Up! Good Christen Folk – harmonized by G. R. Woodward
2. The Annunciation – C. J. Brennan (1932) – soloist - The Rev’d Canon Graham Craig
3. I Saw Three Ships – arranged David Willcocks – soloists – Stephen Geoghegan (treble) and Dermot McConnell (tenor)
4. A Great and Mighty Wonder – harmonized Praetorius
5. Chorale Prelude: Vom Himmel Hoch Op. 65 – Karg-Elert
6. Personent Hodie – arranged Gustav Holst
7. Away in a Manger – H. F. Selwood Lindsay – soloist – Martin Kearsley (treble)
8. O Little Town of Bethlehem – arranged R.Vaughan Williams
SIDE 2
1. Love came down at Christmas – harmonized Harry Grindle
2. The Virgin’s Hush Song – C. J. Brennan – soloist – Ellen Rainey
3. Chorale Interlude: Corde natus ex parentis – Keith Rogers (1973)
4. In the Bleak Mid-winter – Keith Rogers
5. Hush Thee to Sleep – The Rev’d. F. J. Powell
6. Ding dong! Merrily on High – harmonized Charles Wood
7. When the Crimson Sun had set – arranged Harry Grindle
IN QUIRES AND PLACES No 28 - 1978
The Choir of Belfast Cathedral
∑ ‘In Quires and Places’ No. 28
∑ Abbey Records (vinyl disc)
∑ Code No. LPB 802 Stereo
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in 1978
∑ Produced by David Lumsden
∑ Recorded and edited by Harry Mudd
∑ Cover illustration from a photograph by Cyril King
∑ Sleeve printed by Senol Printing Ltd.
∑ Directed by Jonathan Gregory, Organist and Master of the Choristers
∑ Assistant Organist: Christopher Boodle
∑ Sleeve introduction by Richard Baker (Broadcaster)
∑ Sleeve notes include descriptions of the Cathedral, the choir, the organists, the organ, music in Belfast, music contained on the record and a list of choir members’ names.
SIDE 1
1. I was Glad – C. H. Parry
2. Psalm 23 – chant – Walford Davies
3. Be Thou my Vision – tune ‘Slane’
4. Magnificat in C – Bryan Kelly
5. Nunc Dimittis in C – Bryan Kelly
6. St. Patrick’s Breastplate – harmonized C. V. Stanford
SIDE 2
1. Sing Joyfully – William Byrd
2. O Nata Lux – Thomas Tallis
3. Magnificat in C – C. V. Stanford
4. Nunc Dimittis in C – C. V. Stanford
5. Beati Quorum Via – C. V. Stanford
6. Turn Back O Man – Gustav Holst
7. The Londonderry Air – Traditional – words anon.
∑ CHRISTMAS CAROLS FROM ST ANNE'S CATHEDRAL, BELFAST - 1980
∑ The Abbey Recording Company Limited (vinyl disc)
∑ Alpha Collection – Code no. APS 313
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in May 1980
∑ Directed and Produced: Jonathan Gregory
∑ Assistant Producer: James Drennan
∑ Executive Producer: Harry Mudd
∑ Sleeve Notes: Jonathan Gregory
∑ Sleeve Photograph: Cyril King
∑ Sleeve printed by Senol Printing Ltd.
∑ The Cathedral Choir directed by Jonathan Gregory with Christopher Boodle, organ
∑ Sleeve notes include descriptions of the music in general terms, the choir with a list of names, the Cathedral and the organists
SIDE 1
1. Hark, the Herald Angels sing – Felix Mendelssohn
2. The Shepherd’s Pipe Carol – John Rutter
3. The First Nowell – Traditional arr. David Willcocks
4. There is no rose – Anon. 15th C – soloists – Alan Boyd (counter-tenor), Tom Agnew (tenor), Valerie Ireland (alto), Timothy Wilson (alto), Alastair Collen (tenor)
5. Sir Christemas – William Matthias
6. Still the Night – Franz Gruber
7. Good King Wenceslas – arr. Reginald Jacques
SIDE 2
1. Away in a Manger – W. J. Kirkpatrick – soloist – Nicholas Pierpoint (treble)
2. Sussex Carol – traditional
3. A Hymn to the Virgin – Benjamin Britten
4. O little Town of Bethlehem – arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
5. I sing of a Maiden – Lennox Berkeley – soloists – Robert Cambridge (treble), Richard McCready (treble)
6. Tomorrow shall be my dancing Day – traditional arr. David Willcocks
7. Bethlehem – Dorothy Parke
8. O come, all ye faithful – Anon. 18th C arr. David Willcocks
9. Organ Fantasia ‘In dulci jubilo’ – Johann Sebastian Bach – soloist Jonathan Gregory
∑ POPULAR HYMNS AND ORGAN MUSIC FROM ST ANNE'S CATHEDRAL, BELFAST VOL 1 - 1982
∑ The Abbey Recording Company Limited (vinyl disc)
∑ Alpha Collection – Code no. APS 339
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in August and September 1982
∑ Producers: Side 1 – James Drennan – Side 2 – Philip Prosser
∑ Executive Producer: Harry Mudd
∑ Sleeve notes: Philip Prosser
∑ Cover Photograph: Cyril King
∑ Sleeve printed by Senol Printing Limited, London
∑ Organist and Master of the Choristers – Jonathan Gregory
∑ Assistant Organist – Christopher Boodle
∑ Sleeve notes include descriptions of the music, the Cathedral, the choir with list of names, the organists and the organ with a specification
SIDE 1 – HYMNS
1. Ye Holy Angels bright – Darwall’s 148th
2. The Lord’s my Shepherd – Crimond
3. Praise to the Holiest – Richmond
4. Songs of Praise the Angels sang – Northampton (desc. Drennan)
5. Thou hidden love of God – Stella
6. When Morning guilds the Skies – Laudes Domini
7. Ye Choirs of new Jerusalem – St. Fulbert
8. Jesus, good above all other – Quem Pastores – soloists: Robert Cambridge and Samuel Beggs (trebles)
9. Praise my Soul – Praise my Soul
SIDE 2 – ORGAN MUSIC – played by Jonathan Gregory
1. The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba – Handel
2. Toccatina for Flute – Yon
3. Wedding March – Mendelssohn
4. Berceuse – Vierne
5. Toccata (5th Symphony) – Widor
∑ CHORAL MUSIC FROM ST ANNE'S CATHEDRAL, BELFAST - 1987
∑ The Abbey recording Company Limited (vinyl disc)
∑ Alpha Collection – Code no. ACA 566
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in June 1987
∑ Producer: Dr. Donald Hunt
∑ Executive Producer: Harry Mudd
∑ Sleeve notes: Andrew Padmore
∑ Cover Photograph: Cyril King
∑ Disc mastering: Trident Recording Studios, London
∑ Sleeve printed by Senol Printing Limited, London
∑ Records pressed by P. R. Records limited, London
∑ Organist and Master of the Choristers – Andrew Padmore
∑ Assistant Organist: Ian Barber
∑ Sleeve notes include descriptions of the music, the Cathedral, the choir with list of names and the organ
SIDE 1
1. God is gone up – Gerald Finzi
2. Ave verum Corpus – William Byrd
3. Litany to the Holy Spirit – Peter Hurford
4. Expectans expectavi – Charles Wood
5. Blessed are the pure in Heart – Walford Davies
6. How lovely are Thy Dwellings fair – Johannes Brahms
SIDE 2
1. O clap your Hands – John Rutter
2. When David Heard – Thomas Tomkins
3. O lovely Peace – George Frederick Handel
4. Evening hymn – Henry Balfour Gardiner
5. The Day Thou gavest – tune: St. Clement
6. A Gaelic Blessing – John Rutter
∑ A TIME OF PEACE – THE CHOIR OF BELFAST CATHEDRAL - 1995
∑ Guild Music Limited (Compact Disc)
∑ Code no. GMCD 7111
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in June 1995
∑ Executive Producer: Mark Thirsk
∑ Sound Engineers: William McLachlan and Ivan Hamill
∑ Editor: Stephen G. Hamill
∑ Front Cover: ‘Adoration of the Magi and Shepherds’ – North choir aisle Bible window, Canterbury Cathedral, courtesy of Woodmansterne
∑ Sleeve Design by Mark Thirsk
∑ Director of Music: David Drinkell
∑ Organist: Ian Barber
∑ Booklet notes by David Drinkell
∑ List of music texts
∑ No list of choir names
TRACKS
1. Plainsong Prose: Rorate Coeli – Cantor: Nicholas Pierpoint
2. Hymn: O come, O come, Emmanuel – arr. David Willcocks
3. Plainsong: Exsurge Domine
4. Psalm 142 : Orlando Gibbons
5. The Cherry Tree Carol : arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams
6. Antiphon: O Virgo – Magnificat in G major – Herbert Sumsion – Antiphon: O Virgo
7. Plainsong: Hodie Christus natus est – with organum
8. The First Mercy – Peter Warlock
9. Masters in this Hall – French arr. David Willcocks
10. Hymn: In the bleak Midwinter – Gustav Holst
11. Organ: Noel No. 10 – Claude Daquin – played by David Drinkell
12. There shall a Star from Jacob come forth – from ‘Christus’ by Felix Mendelssohn – soloist: Paul Arbuthnot
13. Antiphon: To be a Light – Nunc Dimittis in G major – Herbert Sumsion – Antiphon: To be a Light
14. Bethlehem Down – Peter Warlock
15. In Pace – William Blitheman
16. We wait for Thy loving- kindness – William McKie – soloist: Mark McGuire
17. Ubi caritas – Maurice Durufle
18. Jubilate in C major – Benjamin Britten
19. Organ: Chorale Fantasia on ‘Wachet auf’ – Sigfrid Karg-Elert – played by David Drinkell
∑ PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU - 1996
– A Sequence of Music for the Holy Eucharist based around the Setting in F Major by Harold Darke – The Choir of Belfast Cathedral Directed by David Drinkell with Ian Barber, Organist
∑ Guild Music Limited (compact disc)
∑ Code no. GMCD 7126
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in 1996
∑ Recording Producer: William Thompson
∑ Sound Engineering: William McLachlan
∑ Editing and Mastering: Peter Reynolds, Peter J. Reynolds Mastering
∑ Front Cover: ‘Christ with the little Children’ by Tiffany, courtesy of Bridgeman
∑ Sleeve Design: Gary Thorpe
∑ Art Direction: Guild Music Limited
∑ Executive Co-ordination: Guild Music Limited and Mark Larmour
∑ Booklet notes by David Drinkell – not acknowledged
∑ No list of music texts
∑ No list of choir names
TRACKS
1. Kyrie eleison – Harold Darke
2. Like as the Hart – Herbert Howells
3. A Litany – William Walton
4. Psalm 114 – Tonus Peregrinus and Easter Anthems – George Thalben-Ball
5. Credo – Harold Darke
6. And I saw a new Heaven – Edward Bainton
7. Master Tallis’s Testament – Herbert Howells – organ solo: David Drinkell
8. Sanctus and Benedictus – Harold Darke
9. O sweetest Jesu – Jonathan Gregory
10. Agnus Dei – Harold Darke
11. O living Bread – Percy Whitlock
12. Here, O my Lord – Percy Whitlock
13. Be still, my Soul – Percy Whitlock
14. Gloria in excelsis Deo – Harold Darke
15. A Prayer of King Henry VI – Henry Ley
16. Sacerdotes Domini – William Byrd
17. Te Deum (Collegium Regale) – Herbert Howells
18. Psalm Prelude Set 2, No. 3 – Herbert Howells – organ solo: David Drinkell
List compiled by Alan Boyd – January 2006
MYSTERIUM - 2004
∑ Priory Records, CD
∑ PRCD 823 (private recording)
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral, January 2004
∑ Production Assistant: Richard Campbell
∑ Sleeve Design : Philip Stopford
∑ Photography by Blue Design
∑ Printed by Priory Records
∑ Director of Music : Philip Stopford
∑ Assistant Organist: Ian Barber
∑ Sleeve notes include programme notes by Mr Bently Robinson and history of choir by Dean Houston McKelvey. Words of music included.
Track Listing
1. Matin Responsary - after Palestrina (soloists Nicholas Maw, Peter Hoskins, Guy Corr, Adam Torrens)
2. Adam Lay ybounden - Boris Ord
3. Long ago prophets knew - Melody from Piae Cantiones
4. This is the truth - English Traditional Carol
5. Zion hears the watchmen's voices - J S Bach (Recorder, Trevor Furness, Chamber Organ supplied by Wells/Kennedy)
6. O come O come Emmanuel - Veni Veni Emmanuel plainsong (soloists Liam Jenkinson and Michael Robinson)
7. Basque Carol - arr. Edgar Pettmann
8. Ave Maria - Philip Stopford
9. Hymn to the Mother of God - John Tavener
10. Magnificat in G (for Adult Voices) - Sumsion
11. Once in Royal David's City - H J Gauntlett
12. How beautiful are the feet - G F Handel
13. Coventry Carol - Anon (soloists Philip Stopford, Robin Eddy, Stewart Johnston)
14. Sussex Carol - arr. Philip Stopford
15. In the bleak midwinter - Harold Darke (soloist Colin Morrow)
16. Away in a manger - W J Kirkpatrick
17. O magnum mysterium - Morten Lauridsen
18. A child is born in Bethlehem - Philip Stopford
19. Hark the Herald Angels sing - Mendelssohn
20. Gaudete - Piae Cantiones
21. The Snowman - Howard Blake (organ duet, Ian Barber and Richard Campbell)
CELTIC INSPIRATIONS - 2006
Launched during the visit to the Cathedral of Her Excellency, Mary McAleese, The President of Ireland, Celtic Inspirations is a collection of hymns and anthems with an Irish link.
THE NEW ENGLISH HYMNAL Vol 22 - 2005
∑ Priory Records, CD
∑ PRCD 722 (commercial recording)
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral in June 2005
∑ Producer: Neil Collier
∑ Sleeve Design and Layout: Priory Records
∑ Front Cover : A view of Belfast Cathedral by Anthony Hogarth (painting)
∑ Printed by Priory Records
∑ Director of Music : Philip Stopford
∑ Assistant Organist: Ian Barber
∑ Sleeve notes include programme notes by John Bawden, text of hymns and list of choir members
1. When morning guilds the skies
2. Praise to God
3. O Lord of Hosts
4. O Lord of Heaven and Earth
5. Stand up and bless the Lord
6. Psalm 116 : I will love the Lord
7. The growing limbs of God
8. When came in flesh
9. Strong Son of God
10. O son of God eternal love
11. How bright these glorious spirits shine
12. Hail, harbinger of morn
13. O word immortal
14. O King enthroned on high
15. O let the heart beat high
16. Martyr of God
17. We pray thee heavenly Father
18. Bread of the world
19. Ye watchers and ye holy ones
20. My soul there is a country
21. With golden splendour
22. Hills of the north
23. The Lord reigns clothed in strength
24. Jesu, the very thought of thee
25. Praise the Lord, ye heavens adore him
26. There's a wideness in God's mercy
CELTIC INSPIRATIONS - 2006
Launched during the visit to the Cathedral of Her Excellency, Mary McAleese, The President of Ireland, Celtic Inspirations is a collection of hymns and anthems with an Irish connection.
Priory Records, CD
∑ PRCD 826 (private recording)
∑ Recorded in Belfast Cathedral, October 2005
∑ Produced by Neil Collier
∑ Sleeve Design : Neil Collier
∑ Photography by Dean Houston McKelvey
∑ Printed by Priory Records
∑ Director of Music : Philip Stopford
∑ Assistant Organist: Ian Barber
∑ Sleeve notes include introduction by Dean Houston McKelvey, List of choir names, both Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Youth Choir.
∑ Jenny Heaney, flute. Piano, Steinway, borrowed from the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.
∑ Cathedral Choir and Cathedral Youth Choir performing both separately and together, many premiere recordings.
Track Listing
1. Be thou my vision - arr. Philip Stopford
2. Draw nigh and take the body - Eric Thiman
3. As now the sun's declining rays - C V Stanford
4. Londonderry Air - Flute interlude
5. Expectans Expectavi - Charles Wood
Belfast Centenary Eucharist - Philip Stopford
6. Kyrie
7. Gloria
8. Santus
9. Benedictus (soloist Liam Jenkinson)
10. Agnus
11. Wexford Carol - arr. John Rutter (soloists Philip Prosser and Helly Seeley)
12. Who are we who stand and sing? - R V Williams
13. Psalm 23 - Harry Grindle
14. Pie Jesu - John Rutter (soloists, Liam Jenkinson)
15. There is a green hill - William Horsley
16. O Christ the same - Londonderry Air
17. A Prayer of St Patrick - John Rutter
18. Bi, a Iosa - Irish Traditional Melody (soloist Nuala Murray)
19. You raise my up - Graham and Lovland (soloists Mark McGuire and Helly Seeley)
20. Wexford Carol - Flute Interlude
21. St Patrick's Breastplate - C V Stanford
22. Irish Blessing - James Moore
US VIDEO
"An Irish Christmas: A Musical Celebration." Part Two was "filmed at Galway's famed Collegiate Church of St. Nicholas" and includes "The Choristers of Belfast
Cathedral." It's a very good presentation and the credits at the end of Part II indicate it was
done for Ulster Television and is presented by Mick Lally. The Choristers of Belfast Cathedral are led by Master of Choristers David Drinkell. There's no indication of date anywhere. It's
distributed in the USA by Questar, Inc. POBox 11345, Chicago, IL 60611-0345.
