Not often is a 700th anniversary celebrated on disc, but Oriel College, Oxford was founded in 1326 and this CD contains music that spans those centuries, all with an Oriel connection. Its 14th-century dedication as the House of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Oxford’ is reflected in the first track, the 13th-century O Maria, virgo pia, whose chant is found in Judith Bingham’s Oriel Service that follows, and also in the final piece, a setting by Cheryl Francis-Hoad of the same words. Settings by David Maw of ‘I sing of a maiden’ and of the Magnificat continue the Marian theme.

Another strand is the Phos hilaron, translated by Oriel fellow John Keble as ‘Hail, gladdening light’ and set by David Briggs and by John Caldwell. Oriel was at the centre of the Oxford Movement and John Henry Newman, college chaplain 1822-30, is represented with a setting by James Whitbourn of his poem Solitude (for choir and guitar and featuring Craig Ogden in a piece of
“luxury casting), and by a surprising four-movement cantata, Hymn of the Third Choir of Angelicals. This takes verses from The Dream of Gerontius, including ‘Praise to the holiest’, and was composed and submitted by Edmund Fellowes (of Tudor Church Music fame) for his BMus degree. There is a long solo for Grace Davidson who is outstanding here and in a complex solo part in Maw’s Magnificat. The home team includes the excellent Alexander Pott on organ; David Maw has assembled an enterprising programme and is rewarded by bright and committed singing. Fellowes wrote in his autobiography that when he was a student ‘Oriel was in no sense a musical college. How things have changed!