These two discs from the early '90s of Herbert Howells' choral music include everything he wrote either sacred or secular for chorus a cappella or with organ accompaniment. The works range from large-scale masterpieces like the Mass in the Dorian Mode and the Requiem through small-scale masterpieces like "The House of the Mind" and "Take Him, Earth, for Cherishing," to exquisite miniatures Salve Regina and "Thee Will I Love." The uniformly excellent performances by the
Finzi Singers led by
Paul Spicer range from unutterably poignant through the incredibly sensuous to the ineffably sublime. For those already familiar with Howells' choral-orchestral masterpieces -- the Hymnus Paradisi, Missa Sabrinensis, and Stabat Mater -- no more needs be said. For those not already familiar with Howells' music, imagine ecstatic melodies, modal harmonies, earthy rhythms, and voluptuous textures -- in other words, imagine
Vaughan Williams' music but sexier -- and you'll have some idea of what to expect. Those who might reasonably fear that Chandos' trademark big, colorful, and very vivid sound might be too big, colorful, and vivid for Howells' less monumental choral works can relax: throughout, the
Finzi Singers sound ideally balanced between here and eternity.