On 14 December 1918, women were permitted to stand for Parliament and were granted the vote for the first time in British history. As part of the centenary celebrations for this milestone and to raise awareness of persistent inequalities in society, Hilary Campbell and the distinctive choir, Blossom Street, present repertoire by famous and lesser-known female composers ranging from Rebecca Clarke’s richly moving Ave Maria to Stef Conner’s haunting setting of Hildegard von Bingen’s text ‘O Splendidissima Gemma.’ Blossom Street is a versatile and vibrant chamber choir composing some of the UK’s best young singers, which performs regularly on TV and radio as well as on the concert platform. Directed by Hilary Campbell, a graduate of the Royal Academy of Music, the group was formed over a decade ago, while the singers were studying at the University of York, and relocated to London in 2007. On the concert platform, Blossom Street has performed at many of the major London venues including Wigmore Hall, St. John’s Smith Square and St. James’s Piccadilly, and further afield at places like the Royal Palace, Madrid.

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REVIEW:

The music dates as far back as 1937 but is mostly contemporary, and it features the fine British choir Blossom Street under its director Hilary Campbell. Ten of the 14 pieces here are receiving their world premieres, and the program collectively suggests a continuity of female creativity. Blossom Street is involved with the texts, making them clear and often sounding gorgeous. A fine release that goes beyond its stated goal and reflects a bit on the nature of music by women.

– All Music Guide (James Manheim)