Reviewed by John Irvine

I don't know anything about Robert Saxton, so I can't comment on where he is 'coming from'. Both pieces are instrumental: "In The Beginning" is taken from the recent album 'I Will Awaken The Dawn' but "Music To Celebrate" is only available on CD single. Sorry! "In The Beginning" starts with dissonance and ends in harmony as order rises out of chaos. The idea is not a new one, but Saxton handles it well. "Music To Celebrate" is a more interesting piece. The work was premiered on BBC 2 a few years ago where images of Coventry Cathedral provided a visual backdrop to the music. The piece begins with echoes of the crucifixion before the peace of the tomb is reached. From there the music creates a sense of light growing and emerging from the tomb, culminating in a dance of joy as the resurrected Christ brings the promise of resurrection life to mortal man: in the video premier of the work, this section was illustrated by a tapestry of resurrected man at the feet of the Risen Christ. I'd certainly recommend this disc for a listen, but it is not essential listening.

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