Mozart: Coronation Mass

Mozart: Coronation Mass

Mozart: Coronation Mass
Director of Music: 
Andrew Nethsingha
Release date: 
February 2012
Featuring: 
  • St John's Sinfonia (Margaret Faultless, leader)
  • Susan Gritton (soprano)
  • Frances Bourne (mezzo-soprano)
  • Sam Furness (tenor)
  • George Humphreys (baritone)
Record label: 
Chandos (Chaconne)
Catalogue number: 
CHAN0786

We are very pleased to launch our fifth disc in our recent series with the Chandos label, of music by W.A. Mozart.

The centerpiece of the disc is surely his 'Coronation' Mass in C major which is supported by a smaller scale Missa Brevis in F (K192), a couple of church sonatas and his well-known setting of Ave verum corpus. The recording features a top team of soloists with Susan Gritton and Frances Bourne being joined by two former Choral Scholars, Sam Furness and George Humphreys. Gritton also headlines the CD with her performance of the dramatic solo cantata Exsultate, jubilate.

The recording itself took place in July 2011 and the Choir are accompanied by the College's own period instrument ensemble, St John's Sinfonia, made up of the top professional players and led by Margaret Faultless who is also the College's Musician in Residence. The recording was made in the Ante-Chapel, at period pitch (A=430) and tuned to Valotti temperament.

More about this release

The St John's boys are in fine voice.

Gramophone Magazine

The work's impact is captured by Andrew Nethsingha's wonderfully observant performance...luminous glow. The performance is impeccably managed, while the sound throughout is solid, given a patina of warmth by the ideal acoustic resonance.

BBC Music Magazine

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Recorded on
19 October 2023
  • Introit - Parsons: Ave Maria
  • Responses and Preces: Radcliffe
  • Psalm 25.1-8
  • Readings: Isaiah 40, 1-11, Luke 1, 57-66, 80
  • Jackson in G
  • MacMillan: Christus Vincit
  • Voluntary: Langlais, Acclamations (Suite Medievale)

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The third installment in our Magnificat series has been shortlisted for the choral award, making it the second album to be nominated for a Gramophone Award

The contribution of Andrew Nethsingha and St John's College, Cambridge to the Evensong tradition - both in the chapel and on record - deserves great praise

Gramophone