CEREMONIAL OXFORD: MUSIC FOR THE GEORGIAN UNIVERSITY BY WILLIAM HAYES (1708-77)

Outside Oxford, the music of William Hayes deserves to be better known, and this disc should help redress the neglect. As organist of Magdalen College, the University Church and then professor of music, Hayes was one of the most active conductors of Handel’s oratorios outside London, but he was also a composer of real craftsmanship, as this disc demonstrates. The Keble choir and the period-instrument ensemble Instruments of Time & Truth give lively, convincing performances of varied genres including anthems, an Overture, Sinfonia, Organ Concerto and psalm settings in the generous acoustics of Keble Chapel. A wonderful project, excellently performed.

DAVID PONSFORD Read the full review on Agora Classica