This recording features sacred and secular choral music from many areas of the British Isles traditionally regarded as having Celtic roots. Welsh composers include William Mathias, Paul Mealor, and Geraint Lewis, and Welsh texts drawn from Henry Vaughan and traditional sources. Dublin-born composer Charles Villiers Stanford is represented by two works, and also included are English composers, writing on a variety of Celtic and other folk themes. This selection of anthems and folksongs from the corners of the British Isles prepresents an entertaining and diverse programme.

Cantemus Chamber Choir, based in Cardiff, is fast establishing a name for itself as one of the country’s finest choirs, with a wide-ranging repertoire stretching from the Renaissance to the present day. The choir works with instrumentalists and soloists of national and international repute.

Cantemus’s growing reputation has led to it being featured on national television and radio, and it is frequently invited to perform at classical music festivals. Recent highlights include an appearance on the BBC’s primetime The One Show and in June 2015, the choir appeared in a special edition of BBC Radio 3’s In Tune.

Huw Williams is Music Director of Cantemus Chamber Choir and Stroud Choral Society. He is also Director of Music at Bath Abbey, where he directs its renowned professional choirs of boys, girls and men. A conductor and award-winning organist of international standing, he served until recently as Director of Music at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St James’s Palace. Whilst at the Chapel Royal he conducted the music for Prince George’s Christening, the Queen’s Christmas Message in 2015, the annual Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cenotaph, and numerous other events in the presence of Her Majesty the Queen and members of the Royal Family. A graduate of the Royal Academy of Music and former Organ Scholar of Christ’s College, Cambridge, his musical achievements led to him being awarded the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012.

‘The choir performs admirably throughout, with a full, rich, harmonious communal voice, both nimble and joyful.’ - MusicWeb International.

‘No need to program your CD player to play multiple CDs on random shuffle this Christmas. This one has everything covered.’ - Classical Music Sentinel, December 2015

‘The sound is hugely impressive; the choir sing with energy, clarity and an excitingly bright timbre.’ - Organists’ Review, March 2016