Press
In praise of Earthly Solace
CRD3569
“Buy it; we may well never see its like again.”
Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International
“There is much to relish in the world completed by Russell Blacker...”
Terry Blain, BBC Music Magazine ★★★★
“Gilchrist’s ensemble wend their way, either in plangent solo lines or an overwhelming group deluge, through music that manages to reflect human emotions and life on Earth while equally opening the gates of heaven. Some pieces are scarcely known. All are of high quality.”
Geoff Brown, The Times ★★★★☆
“Selene’s sopranos revel in the full-voiced sections of both these exultant scores, enticing the listener to wonder at the extraordinary musical life that must have existed before one of the most far-reaching flashpoints in British history.”
Tony Way, Limelight – Editor's Choice, September 2026
“Remarkable artistic maturity... Daniel Gilchrist conducts this repertoire with a deep knowledge of its stylistic principles... The quality of Russell Blacker’s reconstructions, together with the interpretative sensitivity of the Selene Consort... restore a musical heritage of extraordinary historical and artistic relevance, once again accessible thanks to a recording of exemplary rigour.”
Marçal Borotau, Sonograma Magazine
In praise of Heavenly Light
CRD3555
“This is for me the most exciting new release so far this year… I cannot praise the choir and its director Daniel Gilchrist enough.”
Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International
“You will find this music absolutely ravishing… wonderfully confident and eloquent performances… a most valuable enterprise.”
Stephen Barber, MusicWeb International
“Full of ecstatic singing, reflecting the joy of rediscovery.”
Tony Way, Limelight
“Incredibly special.”
BBC Radio 3, February 2025
“Ravishingly lovely but also deeply intellectually engaging.”
USA CD Hot List for Libraries, September 2025
Audience Feedback
Heavenly Light, Magdalen College Oxford, May 2025
• “a magnificent occasion and a wonderful concert... bowled over... so, so good.”
• “They brought it to life very effectively, especially with the progressive processions down the choir from West to East. And starting the plainsong in the astonishing acoustic of the ante-chapel was a brilliant coup de theatre.”
• “Dan’s live commentary was excellent – engaging, entertaining and informative.”