Top scores

ORA’S finest commissions

Roderick Williams Ave verum corpus Re-imagined

Williams’s texturally fascinating response to Byrd’s anthem won the choral category at the 2016 British Composer Awards.

Ken Burton Many are the Wonders

Burton’s skill here is in uniting the gospel and Anglican choral traditions – to magical effect.

John Rutter Suzi’s Carol

Rutter takes his text from a 15th-century manuscript for this simple carol. The title reflects his respect for Digby’s choral work.

Roxanna Panufnik (above) Kyrie after Byrd

Panufnik preserves the structure and voicing of Byrd’s Five-part Mass but employs gently shifting, ethereal harmonies.

– Eriks E envalds Infelix ego after Byrd

E envalds’s setting of Girolamo Savonarola’s words is inspired by Byrd’s, and is equally anguished.

Richard Allain Videte miraculum

Alain’s imitative motet has instant appeal, its repetitions recalling Pärt, its harmonies Eric Whitacre.

Julian Anderson Magnificat

Anderson’s music is both prayerful and utterly joyful – an inspired work that will appear on a future release.