Harvey: Deo Choir of St. John's College, Cambridge & Andrew Nethsingha

• Jonathan Harvey (1939-2012):
• 1 I Love the Lord 06:02
• 2 Magnificat 07:51
• 3 Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis: Nunc Dimittis 05:12
• 4 Toccata 05:27
• 5 Come Holy Ghost 07:27
• 6 Praise ye the Lord 04:08
• Missa Brevis:
• 7 Kyrie 02:48
• 8 Gloria 03:08
• 9 Sanctus and Benedictus 02:57
• 10 Agnus Dei 02:58
• 11 The Royal Banners Forward Go 03:49
• 12 Laus Deo 04:07
• 13 The Annunciation 04:28
• Total Runtime 01:00:22

Info for Harvey: Deo

The Choir of St John’s College Cambridge launch their new series of recordings with Signum by exploring the close connections between the college and celebrated British composer Jonathan Harvey (1939-2012), in a disc of works for choir and organ. Harvey’s music has influenced a generation of composers, described by The Guardian’s Tom Service as being “at once vividly contemporary and timeless”. The Choir’s director Andrew Nethsingha reflects on his own experiences and work with the Jonathan Harvey in CD’s programme note, in particular as the choir collaborated on what would be Jonathan Harvey’s final work for the choir, The Annunciation (2011).

"This recording is outstanding on every count: remarkable and under-performed repertoire, beautifully performed and recorded" (Gramophone)

"Nethsingha and his choir give us an exploration of Harvey's church music that shows off the multifarious brilliance of both the composer and the choir...captured with remarkable distinction by the Signum engineers… a most auspicious beginning to what, I hope, will be a very fruitful working relationship." (MusicWeb International)

"Nethsingha and his St John's forces have this often-challenging repertoire well under control, delivering characterful yet authoritative performances of which they can be justly proud...warmly recommended." (Choir & Organ)

The Choir of St John’s College Cambridge
Edward Picton-Turbervill, organ
Andrew Nethsingha, director

Andrew Nethsingha
Performing as a conductor and organist in North America, South Africa, Far East, and throughout Europe, Andrew Nethsingha has been Director of Music at St John’s College, Cambridge since 2007. His innovations at St John’s have included weekly webcasts and a termly Bach cantata series. His recordings for Chandos have been well reviewed.

Andrew Nethsingha received his early musical training as a chorister at Exeter Cathedral, where his father was organist for over a quarter of a century. He later studied at the Royal College of Music, where he won seven prizes, and at St John’s College, Cambridge. He held Organ Scholarships under Christopher Robinson, at St George’s Windsor, and George Guest, at St John’s, before becoming Assistant Organist at Wells Cathedral. He was subsequently Director of Music at Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals. Other recent positions have included Artistic Director of the Gloucester Three Choirs Festival and Musical Director of the Gloucester Choral Society.

He has served as President of the Cathedral Organists’ Association. He has worked with some of the UK’s leading orchestras. Andrew’s concerts with the Philharmonia Orchestra have included many of the major choral works: Mahler’s 8th Symphony, Beethoven’s 9th Symphony, Britten War Requiem, Brahms Requiem, Elgar’s The Dream of Gerontius and The Kingdom, Walton Belshazzar’s Feast, Poulenc Gloria and Duruflé Requiem. He has also worked with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, the London Mozart Players, Britten Sinfonia, the Aarhus Symfoniorkester and the BBC Concert Orchestra. Recent conducting engagements have included the BBC Proms, Amsterdam Concertgebouw and Tokyo Suntory Hall. He regularly runs choral courses in various countries, including France and the U.S.A.

The Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge
is one of the finest collegiate choirs in the world – known and loved by millions from its broadcasts, concert tours and over 90 recordings. Founded in the 1670s, the Choir is known for its rich, warm and distinctive sound, its expressive interpretations and its ability to sing in a variety of styles. Alongside this discipline, the Choir is particularly proud of its happy, relaxed and mutually supportive atmosphere. The Choir is directed by Andrew Nethsingha following in a long line of eminent Directors of Music, recently Dr George Guest, Dr Christopher Robinson and Dr David Hill.

The Choir is known for its consistent high standards of singing each day in Chapel and brings the 'St John's Sound' to listeners around the world each week through its weekly webcasts and SJC Live, our webcast archive service. For more information or if you are interested in becoming a member of the Choir, please click to read further about Choristers, Choral Scholars and Organ Scholars.

The Choir also maintains a busy schedule of concerts and events. The Choir tours internationally several times per year, with recent destinations including the USA, the Far East and the Netherlands. Additionally, there are some special services held through the year including the Advent Carol service, Ash Wednesday Evensong and the Bach Cantata Evensongs.

Booklet for Harvey: Deo