Glorious Kingdom - Anthems from Ripon Cathedral

Harwood O how glorious is the Kingdom; Parsons Ave Maria; Purcell Thou knowest; Handel Zadok the Priest; Stanford Justorum animae; Beati quorum via; For lo I raise up Stanford; Britten Jubilate Deo in C; Ireland Greater Love hath no man; Tim Harper Loquebantur variis linguis; Bairstow Blessed City, heavenly Salem; Tallis O nata lux de lumine; Holst Turn back O Man; Wood Hail, gladdening light; Bainton And I saw a new heaven; Ronny Krippner Three in One.

Dr Ronny Krippner director. Tim Harper organ.
Priory Records PRCD 1255
https://www.prioryrecords.co.uk/

The evocative cover photograph sets the tone perfectly: sunlight streaming through nave windows, illuminating the organ in golden radiance. That same glow surely shines from everyone involved in this exceptional release.

Ripon's Choral Foundation stands as one of English cathedral music's great success stories. Since Dr Ronny Krippner's appointment as Director of Music in 2022, the transformation has been remarkable—in numbers, quality and ambition. This superb disc provides compelling evidence of his achievement.

The programming proves refreshing. Rather than filling the roster with contemporary works, Krippner presents a generous survey spanning Tudor masters through predominantly twentieth-century composers, including two outstanding contributions from himself and organist Tim Harper.

From the barnstorming opening of Harwood's O How Glorious, standards remain consistently high. The trebles deliver delightful accounts of Parsons's Ave Maria and Purcell's Thou Knowest, Lord. One minor cavil: Tallis's O Nata Lux, usually intimate and subtle, begins too forcefully, losing something of its delicate mystery. This remains a fleeting reservation amid so much excellence.

Handel's Zadok the Priest receives magnificent treatment. Harper's accompaniment throughout demonstrates mastery—nowhere more tellingly than in his volume control just before the choir's electrifying entry. His registrations showcase Harrison & Harrison's glorious instrument beautifully, never intruding yet always enhancing. Listen to Bairstow's Blessed City Heavenly Salem: the emotion gradually building, that glorious conclusion which once reduced choristers' parents to tears when departing boys sang the semi-chorus.

Stanford's Justorum Animae finds girls and lay clerks impeccably balanced, whilst Ireland's Greater Love and Bainton's ravishing And I Saw a New Heaven benefit hugely from Harper's sensitive support. The men open Stanford's For Lo, I Raise Up with admirable control and resonance. Britten's Jubilate Deo in C, no easy sing with its awkward interval jumps, receives assured handling by most parts, although there are times when the superb trebles in the fortissimo section overwhelm the back row; perhaps it would have been better to use just the girls or boys rather than the full choral foundation.

Harper's brief Loquebantur proves atmospheric and intense—thrilling music conducted by the composer whilst organ scholar Archie Davies accompanies. Krippner's Three in One, performed by the girls, displays considerable compositional skill and improvisatory flair, rounding off proceedings brilliantly.

Soloists Xander Galloway-Gee (treble), tenor Jonathan Groundwater and bass D'Arcy Bleiker—both former choristers—acquit themselves splendidly. Crescendos register powerfully, diction remains crystal clear, resonance fills the acoustic generously.

This unapologetically celebrates popular repertoire—and why not? Having witnessed Ripon's transformation firsthand, I can attest to renewed energy and public engagement. This Priory release captures something genuinely special.

Mark your diary: the choir broadcasts Choral Evensong on Radio 3 on Wednesday 11th February. Meanwhile, acquire this recording. You won't be disappointed.