Christ Church Cathedral Girls' Choir: Ex Ore Innocentium (CCCD2)
Out of the mouths of babes? Girl power, more like: and if St Paul is seething in his grave at the idea of a whole CD-full of music sung by a cathedral choir composed entirely of girls, well, too bad, because it's a treat for the rest of us. Christ Church's director of music Mark Duley is choirmaster, while the organ accompanist is David Leigh from across the road at St Patrick's. Speaking of crossing the road, there's a certain amount of inevitable passing traffic noise on the recording, but it all adds to the charm of a CD whose effect is of freshness, energy and spontaneity - especially in Britten's Missa Brevis, the John Ireland setting of the title track, and Pergolesi's gorgeous Stabat Mater. If you're seeking something Irish without the "O" which seems to slip in, or break out, this time every year, seek no further.
- Arminta Wallace