Hamburger menu icon
Home > About Trinity Hall > Music > Recordings

Recordings

In recent years, the choir has also recorded a number of critically acclaimed albums, combining forces with the College’s professional period-instrument Ensemble-in-Residence, Orpheus Britannicus and the viol consort Newe Vialles:

Reviews

See, See, The Word is Incarnate

‘[…] the performances – from choir, viol consort and solo organ – are all of a very high standard, as is the consistent recording quality.’
★★★★★ The Organ

‘[…] nowhere throughout the disc is there a dull moment, half because of the quality of the music and half because of the leisured intensity of the performances […] This is a most impressive recording.’
Early Music Review

‘The various musical forces drawn together for this production breathe new life into this music from centuries past in the fine performances collected here.’
Lark Reviews

Track list

  1. Verse Anthem: This is the record of John – Gibbons
  2. Voluntary in C (10 August, 1647) – Tomkins
  3. Magnificat from the ‘Short’ Evening Service – Gibbons
  4. In Nomine a5, Vdgs 1 – Weelkes
  5. Nunc Dimittis from the ‘Short’ Evening Service – Gibbons
  6. A Substantial Verse – Tomkins
  7. Verse Anthem: My Shepherd is the living Lord – Tomkins
  8. Fantasia VII a3 – Tomkins, Vdgs 9
  9. Verse in a – Tomkins
  10. Full Anthem: O Lord, in the wrath – Gibbons
  11. Voluntary I – Weelkes
  12. Magnificat – Evening Verse Service ‘for Trebles’ – Weelkes
  13. Voluntary in D – Tomkins
  14. Nunc Dimittis – Evening Verse Service ‘for Trebles’ – Weelkes
  15. Fantasia a4 ‘for the great dooble bass’, Vdgs 1 – Gibbons
  16. Voluntary in a – Tomkins
  17. Verse Anthem: See, see, the Word is incarnate – Gibbons
Buy 'See, See, The Word is Incarnate'
Reviews

Membra Jesu Nostri

‘…a fresh and touching new reading from Andrew Arthur’s Orpheus Britannicus and Trinity Hall Chapel Choir, and the viol consort Newe Vialles. Prepare to enjoy beautiful singing and haunting music in a chapel acoustic as comforting as a blazing log fire.’ ★★★★ The Times

‘Immediately striking here in Buxtehude’s slow-moving Passion meditation is the quiet, articulate intensity and aching sense of intimacy on display…performances characterised by clarity, precision, nuanced responses to changes of expressive tone and emotional temperature, and an admirably flexible reciprocity between all concerned. The abiding, altogether involving impression is one of utter sincerity and refined, fluid finesse. Excellent booklet notes by [Andrew] Arthur and Franco Basso perfectly complement these fine and valuable performances.’
★★★★★ Classical Ear

‘a fine performance…emotional and moving…’
BBC Record Review

Track list

  1. Cantata I: Ad Pedes
  2. Cantata II: Ad Genua
  3. Cantata III: Ad Manus
  4. Cantata IV: Ad Latus
  5. Cantata V: Ad Pectus
  6. Cantata VI: Ad Cor
  7. Cantata VII: Ad Faciem
Buy 'Membra Jesu Nostri'
Reviews

The English Orpheus

‘Making the most of Purcell’s deeply elegant music requires a particular sensitivity to linear shape, lyrical articulation and clarity of texture, not least in order to draw upon the pungency of the harmonic language. Arthur finds a remarkably atmospheric palette throughout, evident from the sprightly opening strains of O sing unto the Lord to the colourful and noble projections of the Te Deum […] Alongside these pleasingly idiomatic features, the correlation between solo verses, string interludes and the full group in these pieces makes for a profoundly consequential experience, each section organically emerging from the last […] With this kind of expert control and youthful responsiveness, the poignancy of the music should penetrate the hardest of hearts. The recorded sound is outstanding.’
Gramophone

‘What a glorious CD. I was riveted from the first bar. There is no attempt to gild the lily. Andrew Arthur allows the music to speak for itself, which it does most eloquently. Ensemble is paramount. Solos are provided ‘in choir’ with no ego. Do buy this wonderful disc and enjoy the relaxed freshness from these consummate musicians.’
★★★★★ Organists’ Review

‘[…] music-making of the highest professional standard […] I have no hesitation in giving it my warmest recommendation.’
Cathedral Music

Track list

  1. O sing unto the Lord, Z.44 (1688)
  2. Evening Service in G minor, Z.231
  3. Suite for solo harpsichord in G minor, Z.661
  4. Rejoice in the Lord alway (‘The Bell Anthem’), Z.49
  5. Voluntary in G for solo organ, Z.720
  6. Chacony in G minor, Z. 730
  7. Jehova, quam multi sunt hostes mei, Z.135
  8. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts, Z.58c
  9. Te Deum in D, Z.232
Buy 'The English Orpheus'

Come Down O Love Divine

Trinity Hall Chapel Choir’s debut recording, featuring choral and organ music recorded in Brittany, France, in the grand Basilicas of Notre Dame du Roncier, Josselin & Sainte-Anne, D’Auray.

Director: Andrew Arthur
Organ Scholars: Charlie Hubbard and Sebastian Gillot

Track list

  1. Lumen ad revelationem gentium – Plainsong Antiphon
  2. Contrapunctus: Mit Fried und Freud, ich fahr dahin – Buxtehude
  3. O nata lux – Tallis
  4. Magnificat (in alternatim) – Cavazzoni
  5. Evolutio: Mit Fried und Freud, ich fahr dahin – Buxtehude
  6. Chorale: Mit Fried und Freud, ich fahr dahin – J.S. Bach
  7. Te lucis ante terminum – Tallis
  8. Carillon de Ste-Anne d’Auray
  9. Unis dans la prière – Quesnel (UK premiere recording)
  10. Cantique de Jean Racine – Fauré
  11. Notre père – Duruflé
  12. Improvisation on the Te Deum – Tournemire (transcribed Duruflé)
  13. Locus iste – Bruckner 
  14. Chorale Prelude: Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele – Brahms
  15. Tantum ergo – Brough (World premiere recording)
  16. Listen sweet dove – Ives
  17. Come down, O love divine – Vaughan Williams / Arthur
Buy 'Come Down O Love Divine'
Reviews

The Trinity Hall Harpsichord

‘[…] stylishly played and intimately recorded’
★★★★ BBC Music Magazine

‘Arthur plays with poise and vigor. He has created a comprehensive document of this new beautiful instrument that Trinity Hall will surely be proud of.’
American Record Review

‘An invigorating full chorus and superb buff stop add panache to a programme of Bach, Böhm, Purcell, François Couperin, Handel and Maurice Greene […] The three Grounds of Purcell are enthralling in their inviting sense of dance, cantabile melodic freedom, and spotless, tasteful ornamentation, the lattermost pervading this thrilling inaugural recording on a lovely instrument.’
Early Music

Track list

  1. Toccata in D minor, BWV 913 – J.S. Bach
  2. Chorale Partita: ‘Wer nur den lieben Gott läβt walten’ – G. Böhm
  3. Prelude & Fugue No. 4 in C-sharp minor, BWV 849 – J.S. Bach
  4. Aria con variationi in A – M. Greene
  5. Three Grounds – H. Purcell
  6. Italian Concerto in F, BWV 971 – J.S. Bach
  7. Les Barricades Mistérieuses – F. Couperin
  8. Suite No. 7 in G minor, HWV 432 – G.F. Handel
Buy 'The Trinity Hall Harpsichord'
Reviews

The Young J S Bach

‘Andrew Arthur, Director of Music at Trinity Hall, plays with a rhetorical subtlety and grace, and with a touch vocabulary always appropriate for challenging and revealing acoustics. […] this is a release of admirable quality.’
★★★★ Choir & Organ

‘[…] one of the most significant issues of Bach’s organ music to have come my way for a long time.’
★★★★★ The Organ

‘[…] astute and authoritative musicianship […] this production takes a special place in the Bach discography. For many listeners, Bach’s chorale settings on these discs will be new, given their relatively recent discovery. With Andrew Arthur’s impeccable touch and grace, they could be no better advocated than they are here.’
MusicWeb International

Track list

Disc 1

Prelude & Fugue in C, BWV 531

Chorales for Advent, Christmas & New Year

  1. Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich / Ein Kindelein so löbelich, BWV 719
  2. Wir Christenleut, BWV 1090
  3. Jesu, meine Freude, BWV 1105
  4. Herr Christ, der ein’ge Gottessohn, BWV 601
  5. Das alte Jahr vergangen ist, BWV 1091

Chorales for the Feast of the Purification

  1. Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf, BWV 1092
  2. Christus, der ist mein Leben, BWV 1112

Chorales for General Faith

  1. O Herre Gott, dein göttlich Wort, BWV 1110
  2. Ich ruf’ zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 639
  3. Wie nach einer Wasserquelle, BWV 1119

Chorales for Penitence & Forgiveness

  1. Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verdebt, BWV 1101
  2. Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut, BWV 1114
  3. Ach Gott, tu dich erbarmen, BWV 1109
  4. Canzona in d, BWV 588
  5. Machs mit mir, Gott, nach deiner Güt, BWV 957
  6. Herzlich lieb hab ich dir, O Herr, BWV 1115

Chorales for Funerals & Burials

  1. Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir, BWV 1099
  2. Alle Menschen müssen sterben, BWV 1117
  3. Nun läßt uns den Leib begraben, BWV 1111
  4. Partite diverse sopra: O Gott, du frommer Gott, BWV 767

Disc 2

Fantasia in C, BWV 570

Catechism Chorales

  1. Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 1100
  2. Vater unser im Himmelreich / Nimm von uns, Herr, du treuer Gott, BWV 737
  3. Wir glauben all einen Gott, BWV 1098
  4. Als Jesus Christus in der Nacht, BWV 1108
  5. Prelude & Fugue in A, BWV 536

Chorales for times of trouble

  1. Wenn dich Unglück tut griefen an, BWV 1104
  2. Werde munter, mein Gemüte, BWV 1118
  3. Was Gott, tut, das ist wohlgetan, BWV 1116
  4. Gott ist mein Heil, BWV 1106
  5. Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort, BWV 1103
  6. Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 1102
  7. Allabreve, BWV 589

Chorales for Lent & Passiontide

  1. Ach Gott und Herr, BWV 714
  2. Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, BWV 742
  3. Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt, BWV 1113
  4. Christ, der du bist der helle Tag, BWV 1120
  5. Ehre sei dir, Christe, der du leidest Not, BWV 1097
  6. Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen, BWV 1093
  7. Jesu, meines Lebens Leben, BWV 1107
  8. O Jesu, wie ist dein Gestalt, BWV 1094
  9. O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig, BWV 1095
  10. Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht / Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ, BWV 1096
  11. Toccata & Fugue in d, BWV 565
Buy 'The Young J S Bach'
Reviews

The Buxtehude Influence

‘…enormous admiration for the beauties of this handsome 2006 instrument by the Danish firm of Carsten Lund…Andrew Arthur, Director of Music at Trinity Hall, brings expertise and scholarship to this repertoire.’
Organists’ Review

‘[Andrew Arthur’s] playing is energetic and strong, with clear, pronounced articulation that is flexible, expressive, and improvisatory where appropriate. His imaginative registrations are musically appropriate, often using a single stop or small combination, giving an air of intimacy. This is a fascinating, meticulously presented study of the cross pollination of two great musical minds.’
The American Organist

‘[…] a quieter instrument than is usual with Bach and Buxtehude, but the clarity of the lines, thanks in part to intelligent registrations by organist Andrew Arthur, is unmatched.’
All Music

Track list

Disc 1

  1. Toccata in D Minor, BuxWV 155
  2. Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verdebt, BuxWV 183
  3. Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV 150
  4. Herzlich tut mich verlangen, BWV 727
  5. Praeludium in F-sharp minor, BuxWV 146
  6. Erbarm dich mein, O Herre Gott, BWV 721
  7. Herr Jesu Christ, ich weiß gar wohl, BuxWV 193
  8. Magnificat IX. Toni (2 verses), BuxWV 205
  9. Fuga sopra il Magnificat, BWV 733
  10. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV 220
  11. Von Gott will ich nicht lassen, BuxWV 221
  12. Fuga in G, BuxWV 175
  13. Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott, BuxWV 199
  14. Fantasia in G minor, BWV 542.1

Disc 2

  1. Ciacona in E minor, BuxWV 160
  2. Canzonetta in E minor, BuxWV 169
  3. Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern, BuxWV 223
  4. Ciacona in C minor, BuxWV 159
  5. Praeludium in C, BuxWV 137
  6. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 709
  7. Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend, BWV 726
  8. Passacaglia in D minor, BuxWV 161
  9. Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV 148
  10. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn, BuxWV 192
  11. Praeludium in G minor, BuxWV 149
  12. Fuga in C, BuxWV 174
  13. Passacaglia in C Minor, BWV 582
Buy 'The Buxtehude Influence'