This page contains reviews of some of the recordings released by Cantate.
The discs reviewed are:-

  1. CBC016 Ring Forth! Guildford Guild
  2. CBC005 Ye Olde Trompette
  3. CBC014 Made in Heaven
  4. CBC008 Ring Forth Holy Bells
  5. CBC015 Lo, He Comes !
    6.

CBCD016 Ring Forth! Guildford Guild
Review by Steve Coleman from "The Ringing World" July 1999
There's a life and vibrancy to this CD which makes it exceptionally pleasant listening. Partly it's the smooth and professional narration by Nicholas Smith, and partly it's the excellent scripting. You really feel that each set of bells is genuinely interesting and you really feel you want to listen to it.
What's more, the ringing itself more than lives up to expectations. It is clear and sharp, superbly recorded, and easily appreciated, even by the lay ear. It includes all sorts of methods on all numbers of bells, and the striking in all the pieces is well above average. Indeed, some of it is first class, and if there are imperfections now and again, so what? All the ringing is done by the local bands and friends, and for most people, that only adds to the charm. Besides, it would provide good listening practice for anyone trying to develop their listening skills.
If you are thinking of sending a ringing CD as a present to a non-ringer - especially someone overseas - you could not do better than this. And certainly, the whole production is something the Guildford Guild - and Cantate Recordings - can feel proud of.
Steve Coleman

CBCD005 - Ye Olde Trompette
Review by Timothy Hone, taken from the "Organist Review" November 1994.
J S Bach Toccata and Fugue BWV 565;J. Clarke* Ye Olde Trompette Voluntarie;H Howells Master Tallis's Testament,L J. A Lefebure-Wely Bolero de Concert;E Elgar* Nimrod; J. S Bach* Sinfonia toCantata 29- G. Young Piece in ClassicalStyle; Saint-Saens* Danse Macabre;G. Thalben-Ball Elegy; L Boellmann Prierea Notre Dame; L Boellmann Toccata
Items marked with an asterisk are arranged by the performer Andrew Wilson (St Mary's Beddington) TT 60'13". CANTATE CBCD005

It is always interesting to hear an instrument by T. C Lewis, and this recording gives further proof of the versatility and musicality of his instruments. However, all is not quite straightforward. First of all we are informed that "for the purpose of this recording the organ has been acoustically enhanced" - to what effect you can judge in the first few seconds of BWV565 where the decay sounds (to my ears) decidedly fake. Secondly, this 1869 instrument in the church of St Mary's Beddington, Surrey (three manuals, 32 stops) had been 'restored' in 1992 by the firm of Henry Willis and Sons, and now boasts a plethora of playing aids, making possible a kaleidoscope of colour, aided and abetted, I suspect. by additional octave and sub-octave couplers.
Andrew Wilson exploits the possibilities to the full in a rich and varied programme. His playing is musical and full of character. He is not constrained by stylistic considerations in the earlier repertoire, so that the Bach Toccata is displayed on a sound canvas of wide dynamics range and has articulation which at times simply sounds added to the music rather than growing out of it. Similarly, the arrangement of the Jeremiah Clarke shows a free approach to the harmonisation, as well as a solo reed which does not always speak properly.
The more 'romantic' items seem to suit Mr Wilson's full-blooded style more naturally. There is certainly a great deal to enjoy and the very occasional blemishes do little to detract from the verve with which the music is presented.
Not playing for the purist perhaps. but many organ enthusiasts will derive great pleasure and excitement from this disc.
Timothy Hone

CBC014 Made in Heaven - Jonathan Baker
Review by Matthew Griggs, owner of "Voices of Angels" web site.
This recording is something of a mixed bag. The first track is disappointing, mainly on account of the bizarre accompaniment-a medley of sequenced drums, bass, and keyboard. The problems inherent in the production of' Wings' without a choir are all too apparent, the 'vocal' tones of the synthesizer seem somehow shallow and empty. The album quickly rebounds with fine versions of Lindley's 'Ave Maria', Palmer's 'The Lord is my shepherd,' and the treble standard 'A Grateful Heart.' If you enjoy A. Lloyd-Webber you'll appreciate the included version of 'Close every door. ' I'm not fond of his compositions on the whole, but Baker's voice seems well-suited to the song and the overall effect is pleasing. I am rather perplexed at the selection of Wesley's 'Love one another' (an excerpt from 'Blessed be the God and Father') for inclusion here. The piece is best served by two trebles in duet, and the organ fills do little to mask the absence of the second voice. Gounod's 'Ave Maria' is nicely done. Though it certainly stretches Baker's range, he seems relatively comfortable with the piece. The subdued 'Come Holy Ghost' is very well done, as is the subsequent 'Turn thy face from my sins.' The album is closed with Blake's 'Walking in the Air.' Though this piece is sequenced like the first track on the album, the arrangement is a bit less kitschy and somewhat more palatable. The album benefits from full digital recording, and sound on the whole is clear and crisp-though sometimes a bit distant in the St. Mary's Church acoustic. The album has some weak points, but it is good by-and-large and Cantate should be commended for producing it-lets hope the label will record additional talented trebles in the years ahead.
M. Griggs

Ring Forth Holy Bells - CBC008
Review from "The Ringing World" - Dec. 1995
I certainly haven't listened to every ringing CD and cassette on the market, but of those I have listened to, this is unquestionably the best. The recordings - for the technically minded were made inside the bell chambers using adapted Pressure Zone Microphones, and the quality is excellent. There is a clarity to all the ringing that makes it particularly accessible to those ringers - and, indeed, non ringers - who find it difficult to appreciate what's going on, and the fact that most pieces start from rounds is an added help. It is an excellent recording for developing your critical listening skills. In addition, each piece of ringing is individually introduced in smoothly modulated tones by the actor, Nicholas Smith - Mr Rumbold of Are You Being Served? - with the result that the whole CD has a warmth and understandability that makes it particularly enjoyable. The recordings cover 20 towers in the Surrey Association, from Charlwood on the Sussex border to Southwark Cathedral in the centre of London, and they range from a four to 3 twelves, with everything in between. The ringers are the local bands - with a little help from a few visitors - and the ringing is their normal Sunday service ringing. Both the CD and the cassette include notes for the uninitiated, but the CD also gives the names of all the ringers and the bells they are ringing. Brave ! You can hear Call Changes, Bob Doubles, Grandsire on all numbers, Stedman Triples and Caters, Surprise, and most of a lower in peal. It is an ideal recording for giving to non-ringers, improving your listening skills, illustrating talks, and - most important of all - just enjoying yourself.
Steve Coleman

CBC015 - Lo, He Comes !
The Cantate Boys' Choir
Review by Bill Woelbeling for Voices of Angels boychoir mail list.
In terms of technical production, this recording is clearly superior. The delicate quiet passages are clean and crisp bringing out the detail and nuance of the boys' voices. The strong passages are rich and full without being overpowering. Accolades to Chris Kimber, who engineered and produced this recording.
The imagery projected by this recording is wonderful. The opening O Come, O Come, Emmanuel places the listener in the pews of a grand cathedral on Christmas morning with the procession underway. Robbie Watson's solo in Away in a Manger is radiant. His young pure voice conveys a child's wide-eyed wonder at the telling of the story of Jesus' birth. Gary Strutton does an exceptional rendition of Silent Night. He sings the final verse in German and does very well with it. Oliver Taylor-Medhurst's solo in Jesus Christ the Apple Tree is clear and bright although sounding somewhat strained at points. I did not care for the title track. The organ accompaniment is dominant and overpowers the choir.
This recording is a wonderful acoustic experience. It is the perfect listen accompanied by a warm crackling fire and a mug of fragrant steaming mulled wine.
Kudos to the Men and Boys of Cantate!
Bill Woelbeling