Under George Guest s leadership St John s established a reputation as one of the finest choirs in the world. During his tenure, Guest brought a vibrant continental edge to the traditionally smooth Anglican tone and defined the unique Sound of St John s with a significant emphasis on clear enunciation and an emotionally direct approach. Guest extended the traditional cathedral and collegiate repertoire with the performance of French choral music and was famous for reviving many neglected 16th century masses, the late Haydn masses and for introducing the motets of Bruckner and Poulenc into Cathedral tradition always with a clear sense of each musical period. This approach helped to set St John s apart from King s College Cambridge, and avoided duplication in their recordings. It all depends on whether you wish to admire a choir or whether you wish to be moved by it. You admire technique but you re moved by emotion, and it s nice to get the balance right, if possible, so that people are pleased with the technique that they have but are also moved by the interpretation. GEORGE GUEST "I greatly appreciate the qualities of execution, of interpretation and of the sound itself. MAURICE DURUFLÉ, on Guest s recording of his Requiem "I admire everything - the style, the tempi, the voices, the organist, and the conductor. Let me tell you of my deepest gratitude and admiration." JEAN LANGLAIS, on Guest s reading of his Messe solennelle