Reviewed by Liz Knowles

A number of contemporary composers are exploring early music as a source of inspiration, among them Arvo Part. Antony Pitts is clearly influenced by Part's ideas and if you like Part, you'll probably like this too. The pieces set texts from St Thomas Aquinas, the Gospels, Revelation, Angelus Silesius and the Advent "O" Antiphons to shifting choral harmonies sung exquisitely by Tonus Peregrinus. All eight are soloists in their own right and won acclaim with Pitts for their award-winning recording of Part's "Passio" on Naxos. The voices are unaccompanied throughout but the texture is rich. I imagine these pieces are difficult to learn but oh so rewarding to sing once it all falls into place. I particularly like "The First And Last" which has hymnic qualities and a decidedly hummable melody. I've played this CD a lot and expect to play it a good many times more.

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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