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The first two decades of the 21st Century witnessed an exciting new wave of compositions - many from women - which have rejuvenated the great choral music tradition with a huge range of individual styles. The Ramsey Singers have performed many of these album pieces on their visits to English cathedrals during the past 20 years, as well as commissioning significant additions to the repertoire. This album brings together some of the best works from this new tradition, mostly recorded for the first time, including music by Philip Stopford, Kerena Briggs, James Lavino, Lucy Walker, Alec Roth, Ben Ponniah, Jeremy Woodside, Sarah MacDonald and Jonathan Rathbone.
The Ramsey Singers
Founded in 1987, The Ramsey Singers have performed in many of England’s most famous cathedrals and churches including Canterbury Cathedral, York Minster, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Westminster Abbey and St. George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle. Singers come from all over England and meet twice a year. Directed by Mark Fenton, the choir has undertaken tours to Belgium, The Netherlands and France and has recorded albums of works by Henry Purcell and Pelham Humfrey (Priory) and Arnold Bax & Percy Whitlock (ASV). The Ramsey Singers have championed the works of contemporary composers and the choir celebrated its 30th anniversary by commissioning a piece by James Lavino.
Mark Fenton
Born in London in 1965, Mark Fenton won a Scholarship in History at Cambridge University. He sang with the choir of St. Catharine’s College under the direction of Peter le Huray and Owen Rees with whom he took part in recordings of choral works by George Dyson, Herbert Howells and Benjamin Britten. After graduating with First Class Honours, he joined the choir of Chelmsford Cathedral where he participated in numerous BBC broadcasts, recordings and tours. As founder and Director of The Ramsey Singers, Mark has conducted at Westminster Abbey and St Paul’s Cathedral in London and at Sacre Coeur in Paris. After a distinguished career in education - including fifteen years as Headmaster of Dr Challoner’s Grammar School - he returned to working in music, taking up a post as a Bass Lay Clerk at Worcester Cathedral where he has sung in BBC broadcasts and in the Three Choirs Festival.
'Innovative and totally unexpected chords, harmony and daring chord progressions (chord connections) with dissonances (such as minor seconds), which cut excitingly through the melody. All this creates musical tension and excitement, resulting in pieces that, with a link to the Renaissance, show a fresh & new metier. Conductor Mark Fenton keeps a close eye on the choral sound and creates the perfect harmony vocals with love and dedication.'
Mattie Poels, Music Frames, August 2023
www.musicframes.nl/2023/08/men-angels-van-the-ramsey-singers/#more-69985
Mattie Poels, Music Frames, August 2023
www.musicframes.nl/2023/08/men-angels-van-the-ramsey-singers/#more-69985
Lucy Walker, Occuli Omnium, on Apple Music playlist New in Classical
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Sarah MacDonald, Crux Fidelis, on Apple Music playlist Women in Classical Music
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James Lavino, Light, on Apple Music playlist Contemporary Classical
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Electronic press kit available from Ulysses Arts