As conductor, trainer and composer, Bernard Rose (1916–96) was one of the mainstays of English choral music in the second half of the twentieth century. His compositions occupy an honourable place within the mainstream of the cathedral tradition, being both grounded in the past and leaning gently into the future, and speaking its language of stylistic restraint and understated passion – and occasionally flaring into moment of considerable drama. This recording, sung by one of Europe’s leading vocal ensembles and conducted by the composer’s son, makes a good number of his works available for the first time.

Ene Salumäe, organ
Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir
Gregory Rose, conductor
Annike Lohmus, soprano
Karolina Kriis, soprano
Marianne Parna, contralto
Raul Mikson, tenor
Rainer Vilu, baritone

1. Feast Song for Saint Cecilia (1975) 4:54

Three Addison Anthems (1978) 11:44

2. No. 1 When all thy mercies 3:56
3. No. 2 The Lord my pasture shall prepare 4:06
4. No. 3 The Spacious Firmament on High 3:46

Evening Canticles in C minor (1968) 6:06

5. I Magnificat 3:52
6. II Nunc Dimittis 2:17

Evening Canticles: The Chichester Service (1994)* 6:14

7. I Magnificat 4:03
8. II Nunc Dimittis 2:09

Chimes (1974) 2:20

9. Upon Westminster Bridge (1990)* 3:52
10. If I could tell you (1993)* 3:38
11. Slow, slow, fresh fount (1939)* 2:41
12. Lines for the Magdalen Choir (1981)* 2:25

Two Carols

13. A Christmas Carol: The Christ Child (1984)* 3:07
14. Our Blessed Lady’s Lullaby (1968)* 3:06

Behold, I Make All Things New (1997)* 3:20

15. The Lord’s Prayer (1957) 1:34
16. Lilia agricolae (1980)* 4:26
17. Lord, I have loved (1957) 2:04
18. O God, who didst give the law to Moses (1987)* 2:35
19. Praise ye the Lord (1949) 2:49