This CD contains musical pieces performed at Westminster Abbey on the Feast of Saint Michael and All Angels. The musical works represent the structure of the three main services of this important feast day: Morning Service, Eucharist, and Evening Prayer.
In monastic times, Matins was the morning prayer. The English composer Richard Dering converted to Catholicism, and his motet Factum est silentium is a dramatic piece of music. The Preces and Responses are by Kenneth Leighton, a professor of music. Psalms held an important place in the monastic tradition.
The Messe solennelle, an impressive work, was composed by Jean Langlais, who was influenced by Messiaen. His compositions are modally grounded and harmonically complex. Benjamin Britten's Jubilate in C is characterized by its lively, cheerful nature. Sir Michael Tippett composed the hymn Plebs angelica bn for Canterbury Cathedral. The music evokes the Tudor era, yet simultaneously conveys a contemporary feel.
Evening prayer begins with Psalm 91 by Sir Walter Alcock. The Evensong music was composed for the 450th anniversary of St. John's College, Cambridge. The Magnificat and Nunc dimittis, which includes a trumpet fanfare, is a work by Sir Michael Tippett. Another impressive anniversary piece is A Sequence for St. Michael by Herbert Howells.
The CD concludes with Jonathan Harvey's organ composition Laus Deo. This work is based on a dreamlike experience of the composer and shows influences of Messiaen. The composition is powerful and energetic.