Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

Your reviewer is an admirer of the work of James MacMillan. In other words, if I am not sent a copy of his latest recording I go and buy it. I am glad to have heard this collection but, after repeated listens, I am still unsure about it. The 33 minute title track is a setting of poems about creation and redemption written by Michael Symmons Roberts and hauntingly sung by the mezzo Jean Rigby. Perhaps it is me but it does not quite work. The rest of the collection is made up of piano pieces played by John York. We have the 1985 “Piano Sonata” and three lovely miniatures: “For Ian” (2000), “Birthday Present” (1999), and “Barncleupédie” (1990). As individual works all are worth hearing: as a collection the whole is not as good as the parts.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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