Kenneth Leighton: Sacred Choral Works

Album Description

Kenneth Leighton's "Sacred Choral Works" is a profound exploration of the composer's remarkable contributions to the choral genre, spanning his entire career. Released in 2019 to commemorate the 90th anniversary of Leighton's birth, this album showcases his mastery and innovation in sacred choral music. The collection features a diverse range of compositions, from Leighton's earliest and final works for unaccompanied choir to beloved Christmas carols and extended masterpieces.

The album opens with "Lift up your heads, O ye gates," a powerful piece that sets the tone for the spiritual journey that follows. It includes three enchanting Christmas carols, "Wassail all over the town," "Lully, lulla, thou little tiny child," and "Of a rose is all my song," each offering a unique blend of traditional and contemporary elements. The centerpiece of the album is the four-part "Crucifixus Pro Nobis," a profound and moving work that delves into the Passion of Christ, showcasing Leighton's deep spiritual insight and compositional skill.

The album also features the "Missa Sancti Petri," a grand and majestic mass that highlights Leighton's ability to write for larger choral forces. The mass is dedicated to Herrick Bunney and the Edinburgh University Singers, reflecting Leighton's connection to the choral community in Edinburgh.

Performed by the Choir of St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, under the direction of Duncan Ferguson, this recording captures the essence of Leighton's sacred choral works with precision and reverence. The album is a testament to Leighton's enduring legacy and his significant impact on the world of choral music. Whether you are a seasoned fan of choral music or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.

12 december 2019

(P) 2019 Delphian Records LTD

About Kenneth Leighton

Kenneth Leighton, born in Wakefield in 1929, was a distinguished British composer and pianist whose musical journey was as rich and varied as the landscapes of his beloved Scotland. Beginning his musical education as a chorister at Wakefield Cathedral, Leighton's early prowess earned him the LRAM Piano Performer's Diploma while still in school. His academic pursuits led him to Oxford, where he studied Classics, but his heart remained in music, influenced by notable figures like Gerald Finzi, Edmund Rubbra, and Vaughan Williams. Leighton's compositions span a wide range of genres, from church and choral music to concertos, symphonies, and even an opera. His distinctive style, a blend of English and Italian traditions, is evident in his ten mass settings alone, each in a different language and style. As a teacher at universities in Leeds, Oxford, and primarily Edinburgh, Leighton's influence extended beyond his own compositions, inspiring generations of musicians. His legacy endures in his extensive body of work, which continues to captivate audiences with its depth and talent.