The choir at Salisbury Cathedral can trace its roots beyond the 700-year history of the cathedral back another 200 years to the cathedral at Old Sarum. In 1991, the choir created a new tradition by adding a girls' choir, which alternates with the boys in singing with the men (Lay Vicars). Both groups are represented in this collection of anthems, most of which are Victorian or later, with a few exceptions, such as works by Byrd and Gibbons. The girls' choir also sings several pieces on its own. Most of the pieces use the ripe harmonic language of late Romanticism, but all in the context of restraint and propriety. All but one of the anthems is in English, and most are familiar primarily within the Anglican, rather than the larger Protestant choral tradition. The selection includes both a cappella works and pieces with organ accompaniment. The sound of the choir is light and somewhat austere, since there are only six men, two each of altos, tenors, and basses. The balance is always good, though, because the children's choirs sing lightly and transparently, and in spite of the small numbers, the sound is never thin.
David Halls leads the groups in precise, reverential readings, entirely appropriate for this repertoire. Organist Daniel Cook provides a capable accompaniment. The acoustic is good, with enough resonance for warmth, but not too much. The CD should have strong appeal for anyone who loves the tradition of British cathedral choirs.