"This is a CD of exceptional stature. It seems to me that
everything about it – performances, documentation, sound quality
and, above all, the music itself – is of the highest quality"
"... a highly dramatic work ... making the fullest use of the
choral resources available and with a very challenging organ part
superbly played by Jeremy Filsell"
International Record Review
"Pott’s impassioned My Song is Love
Unknown stands out as a small masterpiece of choral writing"
Classical News
"terrific choral music ... exciting, engaging, imaginative,
inspired, even revelatory performances of English choral works
written within the last 10 or 15 years ... engineering is ideal,
capturing the fullness of the space without sacrificing detail or
balance ... This is a wonderful disc, a program that all choral
lovers should hear, not least because it gives proof that very fine
sacred choral music is still being written--and given the first-rate
attention it deserves by world-class performers"
ClassicsToday.com
Signum Records is delighted to
announce the release of Tenebrae's second disc, Mother and Child
Tenebrae has, in its short existence, made a considerable
impact with fresh and vital re-interpretations of classic works in the
choral repertoire. On this new recording, innovatory and
lesser-known repertoire is drawn from contemporary sources, reflecting an
exploratory approach which places the group artistically at the cutting
edge.
This is a distinctive and distinguished collection of works by a number
of living composers, many of whom have established themselves at the
creative forefront of the choral scene in recent times.
Five of the tracks are world premier recordings:
Francis Pott: The souls of the righteous
Sir John Tavener: Mother and Child
Alexander L’Estrange: Lute-book lullaby
Jeremy Filsell: O be joyful in the Lord
Francis Pott: My song is love unknown
The centre-piece of
the disc is a new commission - Mother and Child - by Tenebrae from the world
acclaimed composer Sir John Taverner.
The universal aspect of
motherhood is an idea to which Tavener has returned again and again in
his music. Behind this concept lies that of infinite theophanic
light, an idea common to all religious traditions. Tavener’s music here
interpolates a poem by Brian Keeble with Greek and Sanskrit quotations,
the latter in a climactic outburst. The music, having grown in crescendo, is joined by
massive organ chords and develops to become an overwhelming pulsating
texture at the climax, with awesome strokes sounded on a large Hindu
temple gong. The clamour dissipates at the final invocation, ‘Hail Maria’,
which is prayerful and contemplative.
The universal aspect of
motherhood is an idea to which Tavener has returned again and again in
his music. Behind this concept lies that of infinite theophanic
light, an idea common to all religious traditions. Tavener’s music here
interpolates a poem by Brian Keeble with Greek and Sanskrit quotations,
the latter in a climactic outburst. The music, having grown in crescendo, is joined by
massive organ chords and develops to become an overwhelming pulsating
texture at the climax, with awesome strokes sounded on a large Hindu
temple gong. The clamour dissipates at the final invocation, ‘Hail Maria’,
which is prayerful and contemplative.
Click
here to hear a sample from Mother and Child (1.1Meg).
