Arvo Pärt: Stabat
Three Northern Europeans—Pärt (from Estonia), Vasks (from Latvia) and MacMillan (from Scotland)—each write in a musical language that goes straight to the heart. These predominantly sacred settings draw singing of breathtaking virtuosity from the magnificent Cambridge choir, directed with passion by Graham Ross. The music climbs in intensity, via Pärt’s wonderfully controlled writing, the “Nunc dimittis” beautifully set, and Vasks’ serene “Plainscapes”, toward James MacMillan’s poised setting of the “Miserere” (with exquisite instrumental accompaniment). This is music that sounds simple, yet it plumbs the depths and conveys its message with amazing power. Beautifully recorded sound too.
The Woman with the Alabaster Box (mixed choir a cappella)
Plainscapes (mixed choir, violin and cello)
Oliver Coates, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Jamie Campbell, Graham Ross
Nunc dimittis (mixed choir a cappella)
Graham Ross, Rebecca McElroy, Choir of Clare College, Cambridge
Miserere (mixed choir a cappella)
Choir of Clare College, Cambridge, Isaac Barnham, Toby Hession, Joshua Cleary, Graham Ross, Georgina Gulliver
Stabat Mater (mixed choir and string orchestra)