Sir Edward Bairstow (1874–1946) was one of the Britain’s most iconic composers of Edwardian sacred music. After holding posts in London, Wigan, and Leeds, he served as organist of York Minster from 1913 to his death, when he was succeeded by his former pupil Francis Jackson. He was knighted in 1932.

This recording features many of Bairstow’s best-loved anthems including Blessed city, heavenly Salem featuring the glorious concluding treble solo – sung here by the former BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the year, Cassian Pichler-Roca - together with Save us, Lord, Let all mortal flesh keep silence, and The Lamentation. There are two first recordings - Our Father in the heavens and Bairstow’s extended setting of Of the Father’s love begotten, and the recording includes perceptive notes on the music by former York Minster Director of Music, Philip Moore.

The combination of the gloriously acoustic of Tewkesbury Abbey and the Abbey’s magnificent and recently-restored Milton organ warmly embraces Bairstow’s expansive style and invites the listener in to this accessible and skilfully-written music.

Tewkesbury Abbey Schola Cantorum is the choir of men and boys which sings the weekday Evensongs in Tewkesbury Abbey. Founded in 1973, in the summer of 2006, the Abbey School closed and the choristers made the transition to Dean Close Preparatory School in Cheltenham, where they have been educated ever since. It is directed by Simon Bell.

‘Tewkesbury Abbey is more than fortunate to have such an excellent choir as this’ – International Record Review

‘...Overall, the Abbey's superb acoustics can be experienced as an integral and supportive aspect of the whole.’ – Editor’s Choice, Organists’ Review, June 2016 for ‘A Year at Tewkesbury’

‘...beautifully performed... superbly shaped phrases.’ – Cathedral Music November 2018

‘...The unforced yet muscular sound of the men and boys' Schola Cantorum of Tewkesbury Abbey features on Christmas from Tewkesbury (Regent REGCD440), ... all delivered with poise.’ – Choir & Organ November/December 2015