Reviewed by Dave Massey

If you like fairly raucous vocal music - like Orf's "Carmina Burana" (the Old Spice music!) then you should be well at home with this - from the majestic opening movement 'O Crux' that seems to embody all the honour and barbarity that the cross meant, to the 'Erat Autem Fere' (It was about the sixth hour) where the piece breathes it final exhausted cadence. As a piece of musical artistry this has got to be one of the masterpieces of the 20th Century giving as it does a breathtaking insight into the awful events of Good Friday. Penderecki keeps you on the edge of your seat the whole time waiting for the resolution of some of his expansive harmonies (weird sounding chords!!). It's definitely not easy listening, put this on and you will be moved one way or another, even if it's only to make a desperate dive for the stop button! The Polish National Radio Orchestra and the Warsaw National Philharmonic obviously decided to give their all for this work by a follow countryman and it shows in a hot recording that will have most evangelicals running for the safety of their praise tapes. Uncomfortable listening, but then the cross wasn't very comfortable either. . .

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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