Romain Bornes,Edward Byrne, Alexander Pott (org), Eule organ (2023), Magdalen College Chapel, Choir of Magdalen College, Oxford/Mark Williams (dir)

Coro COR16209 ★★★★

A debut on disc for Eule’s first UK organ makes its own claim for attention, deftly accompanying characterful, beautifully rounded singing by Magdalen College’s choir. The IV/45 Eule’s German romantic accent suits the wide-ranging programme. There’s a magical quality to Dove’s Seek him that taketh the seven stars, magnificent eloquence in Balfour’s Evening Hymn, and colour aplenty in Malcolm Boyle’s Thou, O God, art praised in Zion. Contemporary pieces by MacMillan, Tabakova, Weir, Larsen and Pärt (The Beatitudes bursting out of simple homophony into a blaze of organ arpeggios) sit comfortably alongside Haydn’s virtuosic summoning of a storm (Insane et vanae curae), Stanford’s For lo, I raise up and Parry’s unabashed blending of Wagner and Brahms, Blest Pair of Sirens.