Excellent singing marred by recording issues
4
By David Evans
Some excellent singing and a variety of intriguing pieces. Unfortunately there seem to have been some technical issues in the recording process—ambient noises persist throughout the album, possibly electronic in nature, as if there was a problem with a mic or a connection somewhere. I'm no sound technician, so I can't say for certain. It was somewhat distracting with a set of good headphones. However, under different listening conditions, the background noise might be less of an issue.
In any case, the disc includes an excellent realization of Tarik O'Regan's O Vera Digna Hostia, a personal favorite. I also found his new "Beloved, All Things Ceased" to showcase what seems to be a refreshing change in direction for the composer. The abstract use of the piano was especially effective, to my taste.
I found the Ruth Byrchmore selections thought-provoking, but acerbic—and those from Roderick Williams (excepting the fantastic O Adonai) too...agreeable. O'Regan, here, seems to have hit it "just right."
