The beginning of Advent is celebrated with a particular solemnity at Merton. For its second recording, the college choir explores the musical riches that adorn this most special time in the church’s year, centring on a newly commissioned sequence of Magnificat antiphons from seven leading composers.

Founded in 2008, the new Choir of Merton College, Oxford is led by newly appointed organist and full time Director of Music, Benjamin Nicholas, and Reed Rubin Director of Music Peter Philips. The choir is rapidly emerging as a major force in collegiate choral music.

The disc is recorded in the beautiful environs of Merton College Chapel, which has stood at the heart of the College as a place of worship for almost 750 years.

Seven Magnificat Antiphons (2012: commissioned for the Merton Choirbook):   
- Howard Skempton: O Sapientia     
- Sir John Tavener: O Adonai     
- Rihards Dubra: O Radix Jesse     
- Gabriel Jackson: O Clavis David     
- Cecilia McDowall: O Oriens     
- Matthew Martin: O Rex Gentium     
- Eriks Esenvalds: O Emmanuel

“One of the UK’s finest choral ensembles” - Gramophone, December 2011