"“Composers have been setting the Requiem texts to music since the late Middle Ages, and it was to these early settings that I was drawn when writing my own offering: with simple, flowing melodic threads combined to create a richer fabric. My thanks to Rupert Gough and the vibrant young voices of the Choir of Royal Holloway for taking those threads and weaving them into such dazzling tapestries of harmony - adorned with the warmth of Southern Sinfonia’s gorgeous strings, and the lyrical song of Maxim Calver’s soaring cello.” Matthew Coleridge"

Explore this premiere recording of Philip Moore’s Via Crucis, performed at Guildford Cathedral by organist Richard Moore, with Revd Dr Barry Orford.

Explore this new album of choral works by British composer, George Arthur, performed by The Choir of Royal Holloway. George is a multi award-winning composer, published by Universal Editions, Music Sales, Shorter House and the Guild of Church Musicians. He has been commissioned by various cathedrals and chapel choirs at home and overseas and his music is regularly performed around the world. He has had works broadcast on BBC Radio 3 and 4 and on BBC television, most notably for the WW1 Commonwealth commemoration service, live from Glasgow Cathedral.

Everybody will know by now that Elizabeth Wallfisch has a special interest, affection and regard for the 17th- and 18th-century Italian violin schools. She has already recorded much music by the likes of Tartini, Corelli, Locatelli and others with her group, The Locatelli Trio, and also with The Raglan Baroque Players under Nicholas Kraemer. Here is a varied and fascinating collection of pieces by some of the lesser-known composers from a generation or two earlier than those composers.

“This is music of confident, muscular vitality which breathes new life into the Requiem Mass. There are moments of great intimacy and solace to be found amongst the drama of this setting and the unequivocal final impression is one of true celebration and thanksgiving. Rapture and beauty are qualities common to the other fine works presented here - coupled with a truly individual approach to even the most familiar texts” (George Richford).

"This is a collection of beguiling works for flute, clarinet and harp trio which revolve around the emotional heart of Elizabeth Poston’s music. In her music, modernity is seamlessly interwoven with a sense of antiquity; of simpler more innocent times and avoids the trappings of being kitsch, naive or ever sentimental. Complimentary works by other composers exhibit rhythmic incisiveness, playfulness and lyricism- all seemingly bathed in a sepia-toned nostalgia. Here is an indomitable partnership of fabulous music and wonderful playing”. (George Richford)

“Elena Pavlea’s style has instant impact and possesses an unmistakable Hellenic character that both sings and dances concurrently. She blends the ‘epic’ with the ‘intimate’ in a seamless thread and the programmatic titles to her works evoke a clear connection with Greek antiquity.” (George Richford, Producer) Elena Pavlea’s music has been characterized by music critics to belong to the Neo-romantic and Minimalistic styles of the 21st century music genres. Born and raised in Athens, Greece, she became aware of the world of classical music…while listening for the first time a piano trio performing in the lobby of a hotel. ‘’I clearly remember that moment since for the first time in my life; I felt the intensity of musical expression’’ she says. She never abandoned learning music throughout her childhood and adolescent years, and early in life she decided to study music in a professional level. Academically she received her Piano Soloist Diploma, Bachelor of Arts and her Postgraduate Diploma in Piano Performance from Greek and English Universities and during her stay in London and Athens-Greece, she always worked as a Pianist, Composer and Piano Teacher. She participated in master-classes of Professors of the Guildhall school of Music and Drama and of the Royal Academy of Music. She also studied Philosophy and Music Aesthetics.

Whether or not by the teenage Handel, these trios are eminently worth exploring. Oboe sometimes dominates violin, but Convivium are full of with and verve in allegros, with slow affective movements - the opening of No. 8 is magical.