Recordings of my music

O Maria, virgo pia

My 2010 anthem The Glory of Zion, which was written for the Choir of Oriel College, Oxford has recently been released on this lovely collection of pieces for the 700th anniversary of the founding of the college. This is the second recording of the piece, following on from the Selwyn College Choir recording in 2013. The release has some fascinating pieces from a wide range of composers, some associated with the college, some not. Huge thanks to David Maw (who I co-edited the Howells book with) for including my work on the release.

29/07/2026: Decent review from Colin Clarke at Fanfare: ‘Muscular organ binds the Chappell with Philip Cook’s [sic.] The Glory of Zion (a wonderful softening here, too). There is perhaps a touch of hesitancy to some of the choral lines (perhaps as, at the time, the organ’s function is that of chthonic destabilizer); but William Anserson’s tenor solo not only rights the ship, it acts as salve.’ Full marks for use of the word ‘chtohnic’… 

20/03/2026: Nice review from Rebecca Tavener in Choir & Organ, ‘other highlights include Phillip Cooke’s mysterious The Glory of Zion’, with praise for the recording as a whole.

11/02/2026: Dominic Hartley at musicwebinternational liked the recording, calling my work ‘dramatic and colouful.’

27/01/2026: A good review from Laudate Magazine from Hugh Benham with a passing nod to The Glory of Zion as ‘full of character.’