Reviewed by John Irvine

You may have seen this on BBC2 on Good Friday this year: Arvo Part's setting of Psalm 51, written for the Hilliard Ensemble to perform. Their performance is utterly flawless and a delight to hear. Extensive sleeve notes (as part of a lavish package design) provide the text in Latin, English, German and French. Sleeve notes also point out that "Part's music issues from the spirit of Lent...(it is) pure and unpretentious." At the beginning each Latin word is sung separately and acappella, with chords provided by wind instruments and organ. This slow, measured approach has the effect of directing attention to the text and its meaning. Powerful stuff. "Miserere" is accompanied by two other works: the recent "Festina Lente" (Make Haste Slowly), on adagio for strings; and the rather long and strange "Sarah Was Ninety Years Old". About 90% of this latter piece is devoted to a monotonous drum beat, interrupted every seven or eight minutes by a beautiful wordless choral refrain. The end of the piece is an harmonious miracle, but I can't claim to understand this work, nor can I justify its inclusion in this collection. Beware the price! 'Miserere' is only available on German import at about £18 for the CD. But it is worth having if only for "Miserere".

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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