Anthems for the 21st Century

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JONATHAN DOVE / JAMES MacMILLAN / GABRIEL JACKSON / JEREMY FILSELL / etc
Anthems for the 21st Century
Vasari Singers / Jeremy Backhouse (director)

[ Signum / CD ]

Release Date: Thursday 2 February 2006

This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.

"a most stimulating collection of music and it is hard to imagine that it could be performed better than by Jeremy Backhouse and his superb choir"
Music Web International

"The consistently high level of invention and diverse styles contribute to the album's overall success"
Classic FM Magazine

"this lovely disc from Signum Classics, recorded at Tonbridge...leaving room for the listener to wallow in the gorgeousness of an assembly of luxurious voices"
Muso

Signum Classics are proud to release the second disc from the Vasari Singers on Signum Classics - Anthems for the 21st Century.

To celebrate its first twenty-five years of vibrant music making, the Vasari Singers commissioned ten composers to each write an anthem that would in their eyes reflect the state of the world at the start of the new millennium.

The brief indicated that each work should be suitable as an anthem in an Anglican cathedral Evensong, and that it could also look beyond any constraints of Liturgy or formal religious doctrine to embrace a wider, ecumenical audience. Perhaps something more humanistic that would have a voice in the multi-cultural, multi-faith societies of the new 21st century world?

Tracks:

1 Jonathan Dove: Bless the Lord, O my soul (2000)
Exuberant paean of praise to God [5.15]
2 Jonathan Rathbone: Absolon, my son (2003)
Heart-rending musical response to a father's devastating loss [5.37]
3 Will Todd: Angel Song II (2004)
Magical choral depiction of angels singing in flight [4.45]
4 Jeremy Filsell: Mysterium Christi (2004)
Vivid musical picture of the poet's vision of Christ within
another human being [6.22]
5 Humphrey Clucas: Hear my crying, O God (2004)
A haunting piece full of fear, with only muted praise [3.34]
6 Stephen Barlow: When I see on Rood (2004)
Highly evocative, dramatic music - achingly beautiful words [6.37]
7 Gabriel Jackson: Now I have known, O Lord (2004)
Mystical, spiritual almost erotic Sufi text inspires intimate,
sensuous musical setting [7.35]
8 James MacMillan: Chosen (2003)
Powerful modern insights into Mary's joy and doubts over
the Annunciation [6.54]
9 Philip Moore: I saw him standing (2004)
Bold imagery and emotional density in both words and music [7.28]
10 Richard Blackford: On Another's Sorrow (2004)
Intense musical reaction to Blake's questioning of God's
presence in times of sorrow [4.09]
11 Barry Bignold: Peace (2004)
Spirituality, religion and identity in the 21st century,
emotionally and beautifully set [5.54]
12 Ward Swingle: Give us this day (2004)
A simple but profound anthem for our time and for the planet
of which we are custodians [4.42]