Herald AV Publications

HAVPCD256 – Totus Tuus sum, Maria

	Disk Title	Totus Tuus sum, Maria
		Music in honour of Our Lady
	Choir	The Choir of the London Oratory
	Conductor	Patrick Russill
	Location	St Alban’s Church, Holborn
	Date Recorded	September 2002
	Audio Tracks	19

Down the centuries, the Virgin Mary has inspired a depth of devotion which, in its turn, has produced a huge range of liturgical text, poetry, and music, much of it intended for the cycle of great feasts in her honour throughout the year. Most important are the celebration of her own conception without sin at the feast of the Immaculate Conception (8 December), the announcement of the Angel Gabriel that in her virginity she had conceived the Son of God at the feast of the Annunciation (25 March), the birth of her Redeemer Son at Christmas (25 December), her own role as Mother of God (1 January – a modern feast), and her Assumption into Heaven (15 August). At other times, especially at Holy Week and Easter, her presence is more shadowy, though still gently pervasive.

The Choir of the London Oratory is England’s senior professional Catholic church choir. Since the Oratory was established on its present Brompton Road site in 1854, the Oratory Fathers have been noted for the zealous maintenance of their musical establishment and of the proper place of music within the liturgical celebrations for which the Oratory is now internationally famed. The choir sings at Solemn Mass and Vespers on all the Sundays and great feasts of the year, as well as on many other important occasions, chief amongst them the solemn liturgies of Holy Week and Easter. Patrick Russill combines the posts of Director of Music of the London Oratory with that of Head of Choral Direction and Church Music at the Royal Academy of Music, London, where he is also professor of organ. He is noted equally as an organist, choral director, teacher, and scholar.