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"Right from the start, we know we are in for a treat", Elgar Society Journal
 

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Recent recordings

New CD Release!

SOMM072
Philip Glass: Another Look at Harmony – Part IV

Anothe Look at Harmony, Part IV

CC21 Choir of the 21st Century
Christopher Bowers-Broadbent (organ)
Howard Williams (conductor)

Here is Philip Glass' vision for the project of which this piece (Part IV) forms a part:

"Another Look at Harmony" is a project started in 1975. The approach has been to link directly rhythmic and harmonic structure. In doing so, easily audible root movement (chords or "changes") was chosen in order that the clarity of their relationship could easily be heard. Here, as in earlier periods of Western music, melodic material is, for the most part, a function or result of the harmony. However, it is clear that some of the priorities of Western music (harmony/melody first, then rhythm) have been reversed.”

CC21’s newly-released CD was recorded in three sessions following our performance of the work in June 2007. We sought to recreate the essence of that exciting concert performance using our concert system of performing the work with a split choir singing in relays. What might be termed the ‘cathedral’ format adopted on this recording – using 32 voices and a pipe organ rather than a small group and electronic keyboard – brings the work considerable gains in terms of sonority and space, while preserving its obsessive rhythmic drive.

You can read review of CC21's recording of Another Look at Harmony, Part IV from MusicWeb International here, and from Answers.com here. You can buy the recording from SOMM Recordings here, or from Amazon, here.

SOMM 230
Kodály: An Ode - The Music Makers, A Summer Evening
Elgar: The Music Makers

SOMM 230

This CD couples a premier recording of Kodály's Ode to the Music Makers for Chorus and Orchestra together with Elgar's The Music Makers for Chorus, Orchestra & Mezzo-Soprano (Christina Wilson). Recorded live, with the excellent Oxford Orchestra da Camera & CC21 Chorus, conductor Howard Williams.

"Endearing performances of such moving music ... A fascinating release." -Christopher Morley, Birmingham Post.

You can buy this CD from SOMM Recordings here, or from Amazon here.