Ripon Cathedral was the setting for the world premiere of Eucharistia, a major work for double chorus and full orchestra by Fr Peter Dodson, of Ripon.

Performed as the major celebration in the patronal festival of the cathedral's co-patron St Peter, it combined choirmen and the girls' choir, Cleveland Philharmonic Choir and North Yorkshire choral societies together with the St Cecilia Orchestra conducted by Xenophon Kelsey.

Grandly conceived, it opens with a fanfare and introit for the combined forces and rises to a climactic celebration of the words "I am Christ the Word and I am alive!" The acclamation was given extra force and impact by energetic rhythms from brass and percussion.

Equal verve accompanied the gloria, set with alternating passages for choral forces and congregation.

The work proceeds through a setting of verse 1 from Psalm 125, the Sursum Corda, Sanctus and Benedictus and Agnus Dei, with words generally taken from texts found in Common Worship.

Dodson's work is enhanced by phrase-painting, with spaciousness and harmonic/rhythmic intensity effectively colouring the meaning of the words. He aids the mystery and understanding of the revelation of truths contained in the texts.

The musical language effectively synthesises, in various movements, glances towards Mahler, Faur, Parry, Elgar, Shostakovich, to name but a few, a sound-world that allows the imagination full rein. The harmonic and melodic sweep carries the celebration in the required moods of exultation, contemplation and comfort.

This performance and the congregation's enthusiasm captured the journey.

Perhaps most effective, for its placing and evocation of the appropriate devotional atmosphere, was the Agnus Dei. The St Cecilia strings provided suitable warmth and expressiveness. Especially notable was the clarity of the inner string parts, where perhaps the transposition in seating of celli and second violins assisted.

Words from St John of the Cross: "Oh flame of love so living" were set immediately after the Agnus Dei and during the communion was interpolated Dodson's Opus 8 for string orchestra, here receiving its second performance.

Hymns were rendered in arrangements by Kelsey which lent force and colour to the celebratory theme.

Ripon is fortunate to be able to assemble such forces, and credit goes to both Xenophon Kelsey and to Kerry Beaumont, the cathedral's director of music, both for their efforts in organisation, rehearsal and performance and in their encouragement of the composer to undertake and complete this work.

The festival choral eucharist was celebrated by the Dean, the Very Rev John Methuen, as president, and the address was given by the former Bishop of Durham, the Rt Rev Dr David Jenkins.

David Dewar.