The Choir - Musical Heritage of the English Oratories

Aled Jones explores the rich musical heritage of the English Oratories, which were established by Cardinal John Henry Newman in 1848 following a visit to the oratory of St Philip Neri in Rome, where Tomas Luis de Victoria once resided. His music still resounds in the oratories at Birmingham and London, but just how did an oratory school choir find themselves on the Lord of the Rings film soundtrack? Giovanni Peirluigi da Palestrina Assumpta est Maria (extract) The Choir of the London Oratory, directed by Patrick Russill Herald HAVPCD 256, track 15 Howard Shore Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (extract) The London Oratory School Schola, The London Voices, London Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Howard Shore Reprise/ WMG 9362-44376-2 Howard Goodall Lead Kindly Light (from Requiem) Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford, London Musici, directed by Stephen Darlington EMI 50999 2 15047 2 3, tracks 3 & 4 Tomás Luis de Victoria Vere Languores (1572) Birmingham Oratory Choir, conducted by Nicholas Johnson CD to be released next year – details of this can be obtained from the Birmingham Oratory Choir William Sewell Salve Regina Birmingham Oratory Choir, conducted by Nicholas Johnson CD to be released next year – details of this can be obtained from the Birmingham Oratory Choir Thomas Wingham Vexilla Regis Prodeunt The Choir of the London Oratory, directed by Patrick Russill HAVPCD 327, track 3 Thomas Tallis O Salutaris Birmingham Oratory Choir, conducted by Nicholas Johnson CD to be released next year – details of this can be obtained from the Birmingham Oratory Choir Gregor Aichinger; Herbert Howells: Regina Caeli The Choir of the London Oratory, directed by Patrick Russill Herald HAVPCD 256, tracks 12-14 Traditional, arr. David Willcocks Rocking The Choir of the London Oratory with the London Oratory Junior Choir, directed by Andrew Carwood Classics for Pleasure CFP 77243 5 6955325, track 18 Claudio Monteverdi Sonata sopra 'Sancta Maria' (from Vespers) London Oratory Junior Choir, His Majestys Sagbutts and Cornetts, English Baroque Soloists, conducted by John Eliot Gardiner Archiv 4295652, CD 2, track 1 John Williams Double Trouble (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban) The London Oratory School Schola, conducted by Stephen Grahl Warner 7567-83711-5, track 5 Sir Edward Elgar Ave Maria The London Oratory School Schola, David Terry (organist), directed by Lee Ward REGCD 292, tracks 2 & 3 This CD is due for nationwide release in the new year, but in the meantime can be purchased directly from the record label: www.regent-records.co.uk/product_details_128.htm Roxanna Panufnik Sanctus & Benedictus (Westminster Mass) The London Oratory School Schola and instrumental ensemble, directed by Lee Ward Regent REGCD 293 – Released March 2009 Francisco Valls Mass “Scala Aretina”: Kyrie and Gloria The London Oratory Choir, The Thames Chamber Orchestra, conducted by John Hoban CRD 3371, tracks 1 & 2 Websites: The London Oratory Choir: www.bromptonoratory.com/ The London Oratory School Schola: www.london-oratory.org/schola/ London Oratory Junior Choir: www.oratoryjuniorchoir.com/ Choir of Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford: www.chchchoir.org/ Birmingham Oratory Choir: www.birmingham-oratory.org.uk/