We are thrilled that our recording of ‘Every Living Creature’, the finale of Kenneth Leighton’s Laudes Animantium, was played on Andrew McGregor’s ‘Record Review of the Century’.

“[Laudes Animantium] is the first recording of what truly is a major piece of English choral music of the last century… this recording is a triumph for all involved…” (William Kempster, Fanfare)

“Another of the year’s major discoveries… a model of programming and superb musicianship beautifully recorded.” (Nick Barnard, MusicWeb International)

“In all, a really fine disc with fantastic singing. The tuning is spot-on to my ear and I am thrilled that Griffiths and Londinium have achieved such an excellent aural advocacy for Kenneth Leighton with this innovative programme." (Tom Coxhead, Finzi Friends Journal)

"The performances here have been carefully prepared and sung with great devotion, with the chamber choir Londinium taking the bulk of the work... the whole is a valuable contribution to the Leighton discography." (Stephen Barber, MusicWeb International)

“The choral music of Kenneth Leighton (1929-88) deserves to be enjoyed well beyond its traditional ecclesiastical confines. Vigorously sung, spearheaded by the substantial Laudes Animantium… this is a highly recommendable way to get to know it.” ★★★★ (Jeremy Pound, BBC Music Magazine)

“One of the finest recordings I have yet heard on the SOMM imprint… Throughout, the choir is expressive and finely honed in its accuracy… Griffiths and company have set a high bar… a disc of great discoveries.” (Christian Carey, Sequenza 21)

“Andrew Griffiths secures a splendidly fervent, finely disciplined rendering… gloriously assured and superbly committed performances by everyone involved... a most rewarding issue that has already afforded me enormous pleasure.” (Andrew Achenbach, Gramophone)

“Londinium, founded in 2005, is a non-professional choir, although you would not know it. They and Andrew Griffiths are especially interested in diverse but also neglected music which, as these pieces, deserves to be heard and performed. They make an impressive sound, with hardly a blemish of intonation or ensemble. It will be fascinating to see where they go next.” (Gary Higginson, MusicWeb International)

‘Every Living Creature’ is worth buying for this superb and revelatory rendition of ‘Laudes Animantium’ alone.  But, Londinium offer further treasures… Through their superb, committed and compelling performances on ‘Every Living Creature’, Andrew Griffiths and Londinium confirm Leighton as one of the finest British choral composers of the 20th century.’ (Claire Seymour, Opera Today)

“… this release emerges amongst a handful of recordings that have helped establish [Kenneth Leighton’s] reputation as a master of sacred choral music… [Laudes Animantium is] a sublime set of eight movements… Equal to the music of Howells and inhabiting a comparable atmosphere, with here and there a hint of Frank Martin, this is top-notch music… With such superb performances and a perfectly produced recording, this is an album to treasure.” (Dominy Clements, MusicWeb International)

“ ‘Laudes Animantium’… is absolutely wonderful… both beautiful and moving… the work receives a performance which is completely convincing and compelling. The contributions from the soloists; sopranos Rebecca Lea and Nina Bennet, mezzo Ciara Hendrick and tenor Nick Pritchard are equally impressive… throughout the disc Londinium and Andrew Griffiths are not just technically impressively secure but they imbue their singing with exactly the right combination of fervour expressed through restraint… All in all another highly impressive disc from everyone concerned with unfamiliar but compelling music performed with skill and insight.” Nick Barnard (MusicWeb International)

“… joined by first-rate soloists, under the baton of Andrew Griffiths… Londinium possess a thoroughly satisfying, vibrant sound and remain undaunted by the challenges of Leighton's highly individual harmonies. Moreover, they are well attuned to Leighton's sensitivity to text, especially in the most substantial work on the CD, his 1973 ‘Laudes Animantium’. An unmissable recording for anyone interested in this important but all-too-little performed composer.” ★★★★★ Philip Reed (Choir & Organ)

Our album of choral music by Kenneth Leighton, ‘Every Living Creature’, was released in May on the SOMM label.

“Although the voices… are described as ‘non-professional’, this in no way describes their musical prowess. In order to perform Leighton’s music you have to be top-class… superb recording.” (Alan Cooper, British Music Society)