The Choir of Westminster Cathedral
Simon Johnson (conductor)
Peter Stevens (organ)

Pentecost, the foundational moment of the creation of the Church, was an overpowering spectacle marked by mighty wind and tongues of fire, by which the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and set out upon their universal mission of evangelisation to all peoples. In this album, the Choir of Westminster Cathedral demonstrates the majesty and glory of this story anew through their performance of the psalms and chants appointed for the celebration of Vespers at the end of this day. The ancient texts of this feast are also adorned with choral settings by Palestrina, Tallis and Victoria, exemplifying the polyphony for which this choir is renowned, as well as through a contemporary composition by Gabriel Jackson. The album concludes with Herbert Howells’ imposing setting of Regina cæli and Maurice Duruflé’s thunderous organ work based on the famous Vespers hymn Veni Creator Spiritus.