Release Date: 12 July 2019
Casken’s work is often inspired by literature and legend, landscape and painting and particularly by the Northumberland countryside where he lives. His compositions have won a Gramophone award, the First Britten Award for Composition, the Prince Pierre de Monaco Prize, a British Composer Award for Vocal Music, as well as shortlistings for both RPS and British Composer Awards.
The Dream of the Rood is inspired by and uses text adapted by Casken from the Anglo-Saxon poem of the same name which dramatically describes the story of the crucifixion in a highly original portrayal of Christ’s death coupled with Casken’s own arrangement of Pérotin’s Viderunt omnes, the earliest surviving vocal work of plainsong in four parts. In both arrangements, Casken introduces a large instrumental ensemble and masterfully enhances the medieval texts and music of the originals within a highly effective contemporary context. Alongside these are three pieces from the rare Conductus repertoire of the 12th/13th centuries which have been core to The Hilliard Ensemble's performing library.
This release marks the significant contribution to British music of one of its most notable vocal ensembles and one of its richest of composing voices, in work that is equally moving and dramatic.
The Hilliard Ensemble
Asko | Schönberg Ensemble
Clark Rundell conductor
AUDIO
RECORDING CREDITS
his recording was made in Muziekgebouw aan het IJ, The Netherlands on 9 October 2014
GUIDO TICHELMAN (Azazello Classical Music Recording) Recording Producer & Editing
BASTIAAN KUIJT Recording Engineer DAVID LEFEBER Mastering
Release Date: 12 July 2019
Catalogue Number: NMC D245