Wells Cathedral Choir - John Joubert: St Mark Passion, Missa Wellensis & Locus Iste (2017)

Born in 1927 in South Africa, the British composer John Joubert is some 90 years of age as we speak; while he may not be famous on the other side of the Channel, he is so acclaimed in Great Britain that for his 80th birthday in 2007, his Joubertiades resonated around the entire country, in particular with the numerous – and sumptuous – English choirs and their extraordinary quality. In fact most of his works are intended for choirs, but that didn’t stop him from also writing two symphonies, five concertos, half a dozen operas and a beautiful collection of chamber music.

The present recording was made for the master’s 90th birthday by the Wells Cathedral Choir and its choirmaster, Matthew Owens. The name Missa Wellensis (2013) indeed suggests that the mass was specifically written for this choir, which is also the case for St Mark Passion (2015) and Locus iste (2013) on the album, proof that the multiplication of great choirs in a country automatically triggers the creation of a wide, very wide range of new works. One could only wish for the same in France… Regarding Joubert’s style, it follows the footsteps of Elgar, while developing its own language, drawing from Anglican liturgy, a few shades of jazz here and there, and a few recent British choral composers such as John Tavener. © SM/Qobuz