The present disc was recorded during the year of the fiftieth anniversary of the composer’s death. Hearing these works again, freshly now, after several years of being away from them, I have come to realise what skill Ireland manifests in these settings. We can relish those pleasing harmonies, the imaginative word-painting and the memorable melodic lines.

…this is a good anthology of standard compositions by a man who made a life-long and significant contribution to England’s church music heritage.

All in all then, this disc is a must for any lover of English church music. © 2013 MusicWeb International Read complete review

Here’s an excellent idea: a whole CD of John Ireland’s church music, which tends to be scattered piecemeal in anthologies. The impression it makes is very positive…the clean attach and alluring tonal finish of the boy-girl sopranos catch the ear particularly…the tutti singing is convincingly uninhibited. © 2013 BBC Music Magazine

Lincoln Cathedral Choir under Aric Prentice’s enthusiastic direction give excellent performances, with impeccable blend and ensemble.

A very enjoyable and rewarding disc, showcasing the fine quality of British cathedral music-making. © 2013 Gramophone Read complete review on Gramophone

Naxos, having already done well by John Ireland’s orchestral and chamber music, now turn their attention to his church music to good effect. The music is a miracle of conciseness and the performances are very good… © 2013 MusicWeb International Read complete review

John Ireland’s early career was as an organist, and though not an extensive part of his output, he composed church music for much of his life. It remains in use in England as much loved hymns, the anthem Greater love hath no man having become particularly known as part of the remembrance services for those killed in conflicts. He was a religious man who enjoyed the ceremonial aspects of the church, the disc opening with the imposing Te Deum with its highly effective organ accompaniment. Yet as we journey through the disc, we find it is the simplicity of expression that creates an atmosphere of pastoral Christianity. The Communion Service is very gentle, even in the final Gloria in excelsis, and there are pure delights awaiting in the Four unaccompanied Carols that include one of his most familiar melodies, The Holy Boy, a piano prelude to which he later added words. Maybe I am wrong, but the short work for unaccompanied male voices that is described on the track listing as Island Praise, I have always known as An Island Hymn. The disc also contains two substantial works for organ, the Elegiac Romance and Capriccio, played on the fine and largely unchanged ‘Father’ Willis instrument of 1898. The choir of Lincoln Cathedral is one of the largest and most highly respected in provincial England, their work going outside the confines of church music. It does not have those ‘hooty’ trebles that have become fashionable, the choir gaining in quality by taking them into the texture of the mature voices. The engineers have captured the feel of a church acoustic without the excess reverberation of this venue. Words are included in the booklet. © 2012 David’s Review Corner