Lyrita Records releases the world première recording of Grace Williams, Missa Cambrensis, on 7 March 2025, with the BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales conducted by Adrian Partington, soloists April Fredrick, Angharad Lyddon, Robert Murray and Paul Carey Jones, Côr Heol y March (music director, Eleri Roberts) and narration by The Very Rev'd Dr Rowan Williams (SRCD 442).
“Arguably the most prominent female composer from Wales, Grace Williams (1906-1977) is enjoying a revival of interest, with several new recordings of her music in recent years.” David Smith, Presto Music
Inscribed to the memory of Grace Williams’s friend Nancy Elizabeth Jenkins, who died of cancer shortly before the work was completed, Grace Williams’s Missa Cambrensis is a full-scale setting of the Mass in Latin and Welsh, scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, mixed chorus, boys’ choir, orchestra and speaker. The orchestral forces required consist of two flutes (second doubling piccolo), two oboes, (second doubling cor anglais), two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, two tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (two players: cymbals, glockenspiel, tubular bells, tam tam), piano and strings. Missa Cambrensis is Grace Williams’s magnum opus, the last major musical statement by a composer of rare integrity. It dominates all her other concert works, investing the score with a commanding, almost legendary status. A. F. Leighton Thomas once commented on ‘the essentially human quality of her music’ and this directly communicative aspect of her writing shines through the score. Her honesty and sincerity inform her individual treatment of the Latin text and the Welsh additions to the material are a natural corollary of the pride she took in her nationality. As Malcolm Boyd concluded, the Missa Cambrensis is ‘a work of great power, rich in incident, generous in feeling, and exemplary in craftsmanship’. © Paul Conway, 2024
“It’s stunning. There is so many moments that are really moving … there’s a kind of incandescence about the writing and a degree of musical imagination that just seems to sparkle.” April Fredrick, interview with Antony Smith, Managing Director, Nimbus Records
“The Missa Cambrensis of Grace Williams, her last large scale composition, is the crowing jewel of her choral output. Whilst demonstrating a high regard to Benjamin Britten the Missa Cambrensis is imbued with lyrical inspiration and a powerful unique voice. From the incorporation of the Welsh Carol Nadolig and the reading of the Beatitudes in Welsh, her voice soars throughout demonstrating masterful craftmanship at every turn. My hope is that this recording contributes to raising the recognition that her music deserves, which may lead to more performances of this outstanding contribution to the choral repertoire.” Matthew Wood, Senior Producer, BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales
Grace Williams gives “a reminder that preaching, communicating the Gospel speaks to something other than just the ideas we have in our heads. It speaks to the rhythms of our bodies, our breath, our blood.” Dr. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, interview with Antony Smith, Managing Director, Nimbus Records
Inscribed to the memory of Grace Williams’s friend Nancy Elizabeth Jenkins, who died of cancer shortly before the work was completed, Grace Williams’s Missa Cambrensis is a full-scale setting of the Mass in Latin and Welsh, scored for soprano, alto, tenor and bass soloists, mixed chorus, boys’ choir, orchestra and speaker. The orchestral forces required consist of two flutes (second doubling piccolo), two oboes, (second doubling cor anglais), two clarinets, bass clarinet, two bassoons, contrabassoon, four horns, two trumpets, two tenor trombones, bass trombone, tuba, timpani, percussion (two players: cymbals, glockenspiel, tubular bells, tam tam), piano and strings. Missa Cambrensis is Grace Williams’s magnum opus, the last major musical statement by a composer of rare integrity. It dominates all her other concert works, investing the score with a commanding, almost legendary status. A. F. Leighton Thomas once commented on ‘the essentially human quality of her music’ and this directly communicative aspect of her writing shines through the score. Her honesty and sincerity inform her individual treatment of the Latin text and the Welsh additions to the material are a natural corollary of the pride she took in her nationality. As Malcolm Boyd concluded, the Missa Cambrensis is ‘a work of great power, rich in incident, generous in feeling, and exemplary in craftsmanship’. © Paul Conway, 2024
“It’s stunning. There is so many moments that are really moving … there’s a kind of incandescence about the writing and a degree of musical imagination that just seems to sparkle.” April Fredrick, interview with Antony Smith, Managing Director, Nimbus Records
“The Missa Cambrensis of Grace Williams, her last large scale composition, is the crowing jewel of her choral output. Whilst demonstrating a high regard to Benjamin Britten the Missa Cambrensis is imbued with lyrical inspiration and a powerful unique voice. From the incorporation of the Welsh Carol Nadolig and the reading of the Beatitudes in Welsh, her voice soars throughout demonstrating masterful craftmanship at every turn. My hope is that this recording contributes to raising the recognition that her music deserves, which may lead to more performances of this outstanding contribution to the choral repertoire.” Matthew Wood, Senior Producer, BBC National Orchestra & Chorus of Wales
Grace Williams gives “a reminder that preaching, communicating the Gospel speaks to something other than just the ideas we have in our heads. It speaks to the rhythms of our bodies, our breath, our blood.” Dr. Rowan Williams, former Archbishop of Canterbury, interview with Antony Smith, Managing Director, Nimbus Records
Missa Cambrensis Track List
I. Kyrie Eleison
1.Kýrie, eléison. Christe, eléison 5:06
II. Gloria
2. Glória in excélsis Deo 2:44
3. Laudamus Te 4:03
4. Domine Deus 2:42
5. Qui tollis peccata mundi 2:01
6. Quonium to solus sanctus 1:04
7. Cum Sancto Spiritu 2:31
8. III. Credo in unum Deum 6:32
9. Carol Nadolig 2:00
10. Credo [conclusion] 1:40
11. Beatitudes 2:41
12. Crucifixus 10:45
13. IV. Sanctus 6:44
14 Benedictus 5:39
15. V. Agnus Dei 3:26
16 Dona Nobis Pacem 6:56
I. Kyrie Eleison
1.Kýrie, eléison. Christe, eléison 5:06
II. Gloria
2. Glória in excélsis Deo 2:44
3. Laudamus Te 4:03
4. Domine Deus 2:42
5. Qui tollis peccata mundi 2:01
6. Quonium to solus sanctus 1:04
7. Cum Sancto Spiritu 2:31
8. III. Credo in unum Deum 6:32
9. Carol Nadolig 2:00
10. Credo [conclusion] 1:40
11. Beatitudes 2:41
12. Crucifixus 10:45
13. IV. Sanctus 6:44
14 Benedictus 5:39
15. V. Agnus Dei 3:26
16 Dona Nobis Pacem 6:56
Pre-order, download and streaming links will be published here.
Press kit and listening links for reviewers and radio producers available from Ulysses Arts.