A very interesting programme of choral and instrumental pieces. It’s always good to hear Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, and Julius Harrison’s superb SATB arrangement of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols is totally convincing. Janá∂ek’s setting of The Lord’s Prayer is a work of beautiful solemnity and the two instrumental items are intensely atmospheric – Baroque-like majesty in the Grandjany and glittering kaleidescopic harp timbres in the Mathias.

The polished sound of the Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge (including some very accomplished treble soloists) under the meticulous direction of Andrew Nethsingha could be described as ‘urbane’. Their carefully crafted singing is well suited to liturgical repertoire but just occasionally feels less appropriate in Bernstein’s Psalms. Although tempi and dynamic markings are faithfully observed, this performance, while perfectly acceptable, lacks the final degree of flair and drama. The distant recorded sound of the organ doesn’t help and fails to do justice either to Bernstein’s colourful writing or Léon Charles’s excellent playing.

The compositions by Britten and Janá∂ek are marginally more successful, the latter considerably enhanced by the rich, vibrant singing of Justin Lavender. Frances Kelly’s contribution as both accompanist and soloist is truly wonderful – this CD is worth buying to hear harp-playing at its very finest. It’s also worth getting for the opportunity to hear the less familar items by Grandjany, Janá∂ek and Mathias, plus the SATB version of A Ceremony of Carols, which deserves to be better known and more frequently performed.