Vocal ensemble EXAUDI's second recording for NMC features choral works by Christopher Fox with the common theme of Puritanism, Liberty and dissent. American Choruses is one of the composer’s earliest works, exploring his relationship to an American tradition which includes Ives, Cage and the poetry of Walt Whitman. In A Glimpse of Sion’s Glory, conflicting lines voice the idealisms of protestors including the histoical Levellers' movement and John Milton; and the monolithic Missouri Harmony for solo organ evokes the meditative aspect of Shaker worship. Rendered Account, setting Ian Duhig’s lively political verse on the nature of walls and boundaries, and Open the Gate, with its basis of plainsong, complete the disc.
EXAUDI
James Weeks conductor
AUDIO
REVIEWS
'Christopher Fox is 50 this year, and it is hard to think of a better birthday present than this marvellous disc... Exaudi traverse the demands of this music with ease. Recommended' BBC Music Magazine ★★★★★
RECORDING CREDITS
Recording date: 30 June - 1 July 2005
Engineer: Andrew Post
Producers: Aaron Cassidy, Christopher Fox
Editing & mastering: Andrew Post
(P) & (c) 2005 NMC Recordings Ltd