The Choir of Buckfast Abbey; David Davies; Matthew Searles; Philip Arkwright - Ave Maria: First Vespers of the Solemnity of Our Lady of Buckfast

The Choir of Buckfast Abbey presents music for the First Vespers of Our Lady of Buckfast, the Abbey's patronal feast on 24 May. The Gregorian chant of the Monastic Rite is interspersed with glorious polyphonic works by Felice Anerio, William Byrd and Francisco Guerrero, culminating in the splendid Magnificat Octavi toni by Tomas Luis de Victoria. A thrilling new arrangement of the traditional devotional hymn Hail, Queen of heaven is the climax of this joyous service. Full use of the tonal capability of the Abbey's Ruffatti organ is made throughout, with a number of liturgical improvisations.