Reviewed by Peter Dilley The appeal of music from the Taizé Community transcends national, denominational and linguistic boundaries. Though arguably an anachronism, Latin has often been the language of choice for the gently repetitive songs and chants, but amongst the 25 included here are quite a number in Spanish, English and French. These aren't, of course, recordings made at Taize. Rather, this double-CD allows the Paul Leddington Wright Singers to remain faithful to the simple purity of the compositions, but at times the delivery can seem rather too clean and "nice". A little more fervour might have been appropriate on the likes of "Laudete Omnes Gentes" and "Gloria", for example. Used sparingly and sensitively, instrumental backing (woodwind, violin and organ) complements the choral harmonies and enriches the sound. On a practical note, translations of all the non-English pieces would have been helpful, but I'm sure that many will be content to dim the lights, light a candle, relax, and savour.
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