The BBC Singers
Royal Ballet Sinfonia
Rochester Choral Society
John Mountford conductor

VIVUM MUSIC 701224

This work, Regards from Rochester, was commissioned by the Rochester Choral Society to celebrate their 150th anniversary. 

Comparatively few composers also have the confidence to write their own libretti. The outstanding exception was, of course, Wagner, and in Britain the only other candidate which comes to mind is Ethel Smyth, but with rather less success. 

Yet Thomas Hewitt Jones has been undaunted by history and supplied his own texts. More than that, he has not shied away from using rhyming quatrains. Taking the precaution of reading the text first before listening to the music, I was heartened by the quality of the words. There is nothing embarrassing or arch or pretentious and it is entirely appropriate for the celebratory nature of the work. There is humour, tenderness, and history which progresses to the present day and throughout. The touch is light with nothing laboured or overemphasised.

Regards from Rochester succeeds in conveying the happiness and pride which the Rochester Choral Society feels about its long history and that of its town. The various movements highlight different aspects of its story such as the River Medway, the Cathedral, the Siege of Rochester, the Victorian High Street, the Docks and concluding with The Medway Hymn. 

For those who unlike myself have not the good fortune to have been born in Kent, this recording will still be of interest. It represents a considerable achievement for the composer and while, in a short review, I have felt the need to write about the work in some detail, I must in justice add that the quality of the performance is outstanding. 

The Rochester Choral Society sounds superb, and there are distinguished contributions from all concerned. As you may have gathered, I thoroughly enjoyed this disc and I warmly recommend it.

Review by Martyn Strachan