Stanley Vann, Master of Music at Peterborough from 1953-1977, celebrates his 100th birthday on Monday 15 February 2010.  To mark this milestone, and to remember his considerable contribution both to music in Peterborough and to church music nationally, a new CD has been launched.  'Harken to the whispering angels' features Peterborough Cathedral Choir under Stanley’s direction singing his own music in 16 tracks from recordings made in 1965, 1969, 1974 and 1977, and concludes with the current Cathedral Choir singing music Stanley composed in retirement at Wan sf ord near Peterborough.

The disc includes works representing over 70 years of compositional activity.  Of particular interest are three Psalms sung to Anglican chant and an introit which were recorded in 1977 but which have not been publicly available before.  Also featured are a number of carols, familiar anthems such as 'Behold, how good and joyful' and 'Blest be the God of love', his Evening Canticles in C, and a number of later works including a Missa brevis.

Stanley 's work with the Choir at Peterborough was "matchless" according to John Betjeman's commentary which originally accompanied the 1965 recording when it was broadcast on the radio.  To this day Barry Rose feels that the highest standards of musicianship, vocal skill and artistry were hallmarks of Stanley 's work at Peterborough , and that the singing of the Psalms set a benchmark for all cathedral musicians.  BBC Radio 3's Choral Evensong recently featured a service from 1972 among its choice of archive recordings.  In 1971 Stanley was awarded a Lambeth DMus "for long and eminent services to church music".  This CD traces that career in compositions from 1929 to 2000, but above all in the recorded legacy of the Choir's singing during Stanley 's last 12 years at Peterborough .

Total duration: 66'20''