IDAGIO | St. John's Magnificat - Choral Works by Herbert Howells 5060946845870

Featuring

Andrew Nethsingha
Pablo Strong
Paul Whelan
David Adams
Alice Neary
Gareth John

Dominic Kraemer
Francis Williams
Thomas Mullock
Thomas Last
Choir Of St. John's College, Cambridge
Herbert Howells

Did you know?

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Composer Biography

Howells's time at Cambridge was funded by a Fellowship and included free meals, and he used his academic learning for his Monday morning lectures at the Royal College of Music.

Composition History

Howells wrote 'A Spotless Rose' while watching shunting trains from a cottage window in Gloucester, dedicating it to his mother.

Recording & Production

This recording utilizes 24-bit technology, which offers a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings.

Composer Biography

Herbert Howells, the composer, served as acting organist at St John's College, Cambridge, from 1941-1945 during World War II.

Performer Biography

Alice Neary, the cellist, plays a cello made by Alessandro Gagliano in 1710 and is married to the violinist David Adams.

Composition History

The 'Collegium Regale' Te Deum, featured on this album, was written during Howells's time at St John's College, Cambridge, after a challenge from Dean Milner-White.

Composition History

Howells's focus on church music, particularly after composing the Collegium Regale Te Deum, was a significant turning point in his career, described as a 'road to Damascus' conversion.