Allain - When I'm Gone - choral works including Missa Brevis
Hamilton; Owens; Laudibus; National Youth Choir of Great Britain/Brewer
Delphian DCD 34026

Release date May 2004

I hope I'm not being too pessimistic when I say not a lot of you will have much of an idea who Richard Allain actually is. This disc (consisting entirely of first recordings) is an excellent way of introducing the Head of Music at Mill Hill School and Composer in Residence for the National Youth Choirs of Great Britain. Apart from the works for Organ, Soprano Saxophone and Soprano, the majority of the works presented are unaccompanied choral works sung with real passion by the young voices. Allain's style varies from the various arranged spirituals to fabulous block harmonies, notably in the two main tracks, Salve Regina and Improperia. If you want to try something new and accessible, try this - CD Review raved about it and after listening to it, you can understand why.

Reviewed by Will Dawes