Church music by gaslight Sullivan's church offerings, by BASIL RAMSEY Priory    PRCD 691

On the evidence of the music here recorded Sullivan is barely visible amongst the regular Victorian composers of church music. No criticism is valid against his technique or use of the period musical language. What counts with music remains as always the measure of individuality that glows from afar. Sullivan shone with his Savoy operettas fired by the libretti from Gilbert. Music to sacred texts simply levelled him with musical practitioners of the ordinary. The Choir of Keble College, Oxford, sings well with musical expressivity [listen -- track 9, 0:00-1:01].

What more can it do, other than march out to Onward Christian soldiers?

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