Shirley Ratcliffe
Choir & Organ
November 2015

One word describes this CD: stirring. Parry's life straddles the Victorian and Edwardian periods and if music was wanted for the grand occasion—especially if connected to royalty—then Parry was the man. It is a ;ark of his success that today his music still survives for high profile events. There could be no better opener than this riveting performance of I was glad from the Choir of Westminster Abbey in an arrangement for organ and brass by Grayston Ives that can bring a lump to the throat. Throughout, the artistry of James O'Donnell with his excellent choir, sub-organist Daniel Cook and Onyx Brass make an indelible impression, and Cook's virtuosic performance of the Fantasia & Fugue in G shows that he is at one with the Abbey's magnificent instrument.