Gabriel Jackson, Nonsuch Singers, Tom Bullard - To The Field Of Stars

Published Tuesday 18th July 2017
Gabriel Jackson, Nonsuch Singers, Tom Bullard - To The Field Of Stars
Gabriel Jackson, Nonsuch Singers, Tom Bullard - To The Field Of Stars

STYLE: Choral
RATING 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9 9
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 163840-24806
LABEL: Convivium CRO32
FORMAT: CD Album
ITEMS: 1

Reviewed by Steven Whitehead

This is the most enjoyable choral debut I have heard since Suzy Digby's ORA burst on the scene. In October 2013, Nonsuch Singers under Tom Bullard gave the UK the premiere of Gabriel Jackson's 'To The Field Of Stars', and two years later made it their debut recording. The vocal blend is exquisite, the dynamics as they should be, and we applaud engineer Andrew Mellor who has done an excellent job in capturing it for us. The title track centrepiece is a musical journey to Santiago de Compostela, a site of Christian pilgrimage for more than a thousand years. Some of Jackson's material is borrowed from the 12th century 'Codex Caliixtinus', a compendium of advice and instructions for pilgrims along with suitable sermons, reports of miracles and even some polyphonic motets. Jackson also includes a history lesson with a spoken word quotation of a report by John Adams - this John Adams being the second president of the United States and not the 20th century composer of the same name (and a quote not taken from the Codex, in case you were wondering). There is a lot going on but all of it is interesting to hear and when I came to my second listen through, this time with the composer's notes open in front of me, I got a great deal more from it. This piece is certainly worth taking time to get to know. The companion pieces chosen to go alongside the title track have their thematic origins in the stars and the heavens: Arvo Pärt's invocation to the Morning Star, taken from his 'Seven Magnificat Antiphons', Jonathan Dove's exultant 'Seek Him That Maketh The Seven Stars', and another gem by Gabriel Jackson, 'Creator Of The Stars Of Night'. Broadening the celestial theme allows for the inclusion of the Assumption of the Virgin in Victoria's sublime 'Vidi Speciosam', and the joy of William Byrd's dance-like 'Laudibus In Sanctis'. But before all that, it is 'O Quam Gloriosum', Victoria's great motet that, in its original form, starts us on our journey, before reappearing, transformed, at the end of 'To The Field Of Stars' as bells peal out in celebration. Whether you like looking back to the gems of the past or prefer the best of contemporary choral composition you will find much to appreciate in this collection and given the superlative singing throughout it is truly a joy.

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