[ Decca / CD ]
Release Date: Wednesday 20 July 2016
This item is only available to us via Special Import.
'LUX' is a luminous selection of pieces spanning over 400 years: from Thomas Tallis and Gregorio Allegri to Massive Attack (Teardrop) and Ben Folds (The Luckiest - which appeared on the soundtrack for Richard Curtis's film About Time) sung . The album includes popular classics such as Allegri's Miserere and Elgar's Nimrod along with Paul Mealor's Ubi Caritas, commissioned by Prince William, which was sung at the Prince's wedding to Catherine Middleton in 2011.
". . . the lovely "Teardrop" works astonishingly well....Thematically, it's a clever concept, and is both programmed and sung with rare intelligence....the ensemble has a distinctive texture and the acoustics are responsive but not too bright....[one surprise highlight is "The Luckiest"] by pop singer Ben Folds. Magical." Brian Morton, Choir & Organ (London) / 01. May 2015
"These "voces" are expressive, evenly blended, and admirably attuned to the dynamic contrasts built into the music...[the smoothness of their delivery makes this music sound] exquisite in their care. It's hard to imagine the Mealor and Gjeilo settings of "Ubi Caritas" sounding any lovelier than they do here...Allegri's haunting "Miserere" is another highlight, with the soprano plucking her entrances out of the stratosphere as stylishly as anyone who's tried to get up there. Rachmaninoff and Tavener come off beautifully, as does the Elgar "Lux Aeterna"....this is a handsome program that lives up to its luminous name. The booklet has it all." Philip Greenfield, American Record Guide
Allegri:
Miserere mei, Deus
anon.:
Corde Natus Ex Parentis
Dubra:
Ave Maria I
Elgar:
Lux aeterna
Ešenvalds:
Stars
Folds:
The Luckiest
Gjeilo:
Ubi caritas
Hawes, P:
Prayer to a Guardian Angel
Lauridsen:
O Nata Lux
Mealor:
Ubi caritas
Rachmaninov:
Bogorodice Devo
Tallis:
O nata lux de lumine 5vv
Tavener:
Mother Of God, Here I Stand
Todd:
My Lord has come
plus:
Massive Attack: Teardrop