The Choir of St John's College, Cambridge

The main feature of this past weekend was the first performance of a new commission, written for the Choir by Matthew Martin, a leading light in the country's future for composition, particularly in the world of sacred choral music. With huge experience in the choral scene both under Anglican and Catholic traditions, as an organist and a choir trainer, Matthew was a clear, ideal choice to write a new St John's Service for the Choir, following in the footsteps of Judith Weir, Philip Moore, and most significantly, Michael Tippett who wrote his iconic canticles for the Choir/College in 1961. The canticles drew inspiration from Tippett and a whole host of Johnian composers – even the odd three-note motif was a nod towards influential figures associated with St John's such as Robin Orr or Jonathan Harvey and a welcome homage to the rich tradition of choral writing which St John's has had the privilege to witness first-hand. See our Commissions page for more examples. Andrew and the Choir were thrilled to work with Matthew for the work's first outing on Sunday at Evensong and hope to continue a fruitful relationship with in future. With Evensong now the most common choral service in the Anglican church community throughout the world, fresh input into the repertoire of Evening Canticles is crucial for maintaining its vitality, interest and accessibility both for the passive and active partakers in its worship, all the better when presented on Faber Music's beautiful editions.