BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE BEST CDs OF THE YEAR

'A vivid and melodious score worthy to stand among Sullivan's finest works' (BBC Music Magazine)

'An issue for serious Victoriana fans who will savour the quality of the cast, with Watson, Rigby and particularly Wilde, who are all excellent' (Classic FM Magazine)

'A Victorian favourite impressively revived. Ronald Corp is a persuasive advocate, drawing alert playing and singing from the chorus and orchestra with which he works regularly. How welcome it is now to be able to hear and judge the piece afresh on CD with full warm sound' (Gramophone)

'In its heyday, Sullivan’s Golden Legend would have been near the top of any league-table of most frequently heard major choral works. To judge from this excellently performed and welcome revival, its popularity was fully justified. With Sullivan’s melodic gifts still clearly evident, it shows a thorough grasp of dramatic construction and imaginative word-setting, which in some ways looks forward to Elgar. So, too, does the masterly handling of the orchestra, which functions almost as an extra participant in the drama and creates thrilling effects' (The Daily Telegraph)

'A triumph … a true masterpiece … a mandatory purchase' (Varsity)

'A welcome opportunity to reassess the worth of Victorian England’s favourite musician. The superb performance conductor Ron Corp draws from his New London Orchestra and Chorus, and a fine group of soloists' (The Mail on Sunday)

'The duet between hero and heroine on their wedding day is outstanding … Under Ronald Corp’s careful direction, his well-disciplined choir and orchestra give a good account of this rarity … Janice Watson is in radiant voice as Elsie, Jean Rigby rich-toned as her mother, and Mark Wilde confident as the Prince' (BBC Music Magazine)

'Corp and his excellent singers deliver this first-ever recording with enthusiasm and style … A piece no Sullivanite should miss' (HMV Choice)