Composers: Stanford, Howells, Leighton, Jackson, Sumsion, Tippett Compositions: Magnificats Performers: Choir of St John’s College, Cambridge, Andrew Nethsingha Catalogue Number: Signum SIGCD588

Lying at the heart of the Anglican Church’s emblematic Evensong service are two contrasting scriptural songs. The Song of Mary, known as the Magnificat is the expostulation of a young girl on hearing from an angel that God has chosen her to be the mother of his son. The Song of Simeon, known as the Nunc Dimittis is the brief utterance of an old man whose long-held dream of seeing the Messiah has been fulfilled. These differing scenarios have challenged...