Thomas Tomkins: Sacred Choral Works review – expressive richness

Knowing the kind of life Thomas Tomkins (1572-1656) led, you can understand why his music might sound melancholy. A devoted royalist, he was organist at Worcester Cathedral when it was desecrated by parliamentarians in the civil war, the same year as his wife died and his own house was hit by cannon shot. Still he continued to write music. The anthems here include the famous, poignant "When David heard that Absalom was slain" and the Te Deum and Jubilate from the Third "Great" Service written for the Chapel Royal. These heartfelt works are ideally suited to the open, expressive richness of the St John's, Cambridge choir. "A Sad Pavan for these distracted times" is one of three pieces played by organ scholar Freddie James – a name to watch.