Wilby: An English Passion According to Saint Matthew

Featuring

Jack Wilson
Matthew Owens
Mhairi Lawson
Helen Charlston
Thomas Elwin
Seán Boylan

Ben McAteer
David Leigh
Belfast Cathedral Choir
Philip Wilby

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Recording & Production

The recording of this album took place in the summer of 2021 with a small, socially distanced group of singers and organists due to the worldwide pandemic.

Composer Biography

Philip Wilby, the composer, was inspired to compose by Herbert Howells, whom he attended classes with as a violinist in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain.

Historical Context

The recording of "An English Passion" coincides with the celebration of the 150th anniversary of Vaughan Williams, whose English Hymnal inspired the work.

Performer Biography

Matthew Owens, the conductor, previously led the Wells Cathedral Choir to be named by an international jury for Gramophone as the best choir in the world with children.

Composer Biography

Philip Wilby, the composer, has concentrated his compositional efforts particularly on brass band music and Christian liturgy.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Philip Wilby's "An English Passion according to Saint Matthew" incorporates five folksong hymns from Vaughan Williams's English Hymnal, arranged in a chiastic design.