John Joubert: St Mark Passion, Missa Wellensis & Locus iste

John Joubert: St Mark Passion, Missa Wellensis & Locus iste

Regular price £12.99
Total playing time [69:56]

Listen on Apple Music    Listen on Spotify
Peter Auty (tenor)
Benjamin Bevan (baritone)
Richard May (cello)
David Bednall (organ)
Wells Cathedral Choir
Matthew Owens (conductor)

In celebration of John Joubert’s 90th birthday, Wells Cathedral Choir with its director, Matthew Owens, presents a new recording of recent choral works from this prolific veteran composer.

Featuring works commissioned for and first performed by the cathedral choir at Wells, this programme has at its heart the extended St Mark Passion, a profound and heartfelt retelling of the well-known passion story.

Completing the album are the expansive Missa Wellensis and Joubert’s vivid and powerful setting of Locus iste.

Album Booklet (PDF)

Tracklist

Missa Wellensis, Op. 174
1. Kyrie
2. Gloria
3. Sanctus
4. Benedictus
5. Agnus Dei

6. Locus iste, Op. 175

St Mark Passion, Op. 180
7. At the House of Simon the Leper
8. The Upper Room
9. Gethsemane
10. The Praetorium
11. Golgotha

'This is an outsanding disc. The recording is impeccable, the singing of Wells Cathedral Choir exceptional and these later works of John Joubert show a composer at the height of his creativity. Matthew Owens conjures from his choir beautifully shaped, expressive phrasing requiring masterly breath control that is staggering. [...] There is not a weak link anywhere in these performances'.

- Choir & Organ (Star Review, 5 stars)

'This is an outsanding disc. The recording is impeccable, the singing of Wells Cathedral Choir exceptional and these later works of John Joubert show a composer at the height of his creativity. Matthew Owens conjures from his choir beautifully shaped, expressive phrasing requiring masterly breath control that is staggering. [...] There is not a weak link anywhere in these performances'.
Choir & Organ (Star Review, 5 stars)

'There is control, pace, an appropriate balance of drama with devotion and the feeling that the whole breathes, not least as the culmination is left to the organ alone [...] the girls and boys sound heavenly'
Gramophone

'All three [works] were commissioned by Wells Cathedral, whose Choir acquits itself under Matthew Owens’s judicious direction with aplomb. [...] Peter Auty is a resonant narrator, Benjamin Bevan a vivid Jesus, Joubert’s use of hymns to close each of the five movements a clever conceit. The miniature Locus iste (2015) is an atmospheric motet of sepulchral hues. Good sound, and excellent notes by Christopher Morley.'
Classical Ear

'Resonus Classics have presented this release very well indeed. The booklet is excellent and the recording, engineered by Adam Binks, is first rate. This is a notable addition to the Joubert discography and a very fine 90th birthday tribute to him from Wells Cathedral.'
MusicWeb International

'There is a numinous quality to these settings and throughout the choir and other musicians seem at ease with both music and text. There are moments of intensity and drama as alongside more reflective moments.'
Lark Reviews

'Wells Cathedral Choir is recognised as one of the best and on this recording, expertly produced by Adam Binks, we can hear why. Listeners who enjoy traditional choral music will find much to please them here. While Joubert is a contemporary composer in that he is still alive his roots go deep.'
Cross Rhythms

'The passion is a long work, and you have to admire the way Wells has invested in the work, performing it in a liturgical context in 2016 and 2017 as well as giving us this recording. It is a wonderful reflection in the commitment to contemporary music, and has given us this striking late work from Joubert's pen.'
Planet Hugill

Credits
© 2017 Resonus Limited
Ⓟ 2017 Resonus Limited
Catalogue No. RES10198
Producer, engineer & editor: Adam Binks
EAN: 5060262791035
Cover Image: Wells Cathedral Crucifixion Triptych, centre panel, oil on linen, 213x183 (2012), by Richard Pomeroy