Darkness Into Light

Darkness Into Light

Darkness into Light is the title of this new Anonymous 4 CD, and, indeed, many of the works refer to the perils and glory, religiously speaking, of the former and the latter, respectively. Sprinkled within the eight 12th- to 14th-century hymns, all beautifully performed and interestingly varied in tone and use of voices, are four works by the contemporary British composer John Tavener, one of which is receiving its recorded premiere and was composed for Anonymous 4 and the Chilingirian Quartet. It is called "The Bridegroom," and in its 17-plus minutes examines the metaphor of Christ-as-Bridegroom, with the strings standing for Christ and the four voices, in the words of the composer, for "the people of the world, full of that longing which is a kind of Divine eros." Be that as it may, it contains some wonderful high-lying vocal lines, many short, phrases and a series of long-held, fading-out notes. The effect is very interesting and the string quartet adds to the mystery. The other three Tavener works are in the same vein. Whether or not one subscribes to Tavenerâ€™s only occasionally convincing brand of religiosity, the performances here--of his music and the rest--are gorgeous, as the Anonymous 4 sing with their usual combination of abundance and absolute purity--an odd combination, but a unique one. The ear is constantly enchanted here, even if one finds the ancient piety more appealing, universal, and convincing than the modern. --Robert Levine
Country USA
Manufacturer Harmonia Mundi Fr.
Binding Audio CD
ItemPartNumber HMU907274
UnitCount 1
Format Classical
UPCs 093046727420
EANs 0093046727420
ReleaseDate 2003-04-08

Country	USA
Manufacturer	Harmonia Mundi Fr.
Binding	Audio CD
ItemPartNumber	HMU907274
UnitCount	1
Format	Classical
UPCs	093046727420
EANs	0093046727420
ReleaseDate	2003-04-08

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