Howard Goodall - Enchanted Voices (Classic FM CD)

Howard Goodall - Enchanted Voices (Classic FM CD) Description

Howard Goodall / Enchanted Voices (Classic FM)

Howard Goodall s Enchanted Voices (The Unique Sound Of 21st Century Chant)

Classic FM presents `Howard Goodall's Enchanted Voices', the stunning new album of contemporary chant from their celebrated Composer-in-Residence. Howard is undoubtedly one of the world's pre-eminent and versatile contemporary composers - from TV themes including Blackadder, Mr Bean and The Vicar of Dibley; through West End and Broadway musicals; a BAFTA award-winning TV documentary on the history and theory of music; and his prodigious writing of choral music including 2007's Eternal Light: A Requiem.

Enchanted Voices features 8 young sopranos sourced by Howard, who normally sing with choirs like The Sixteen and The Monteverdi, to capture an ethereal and angelic vocal set against an interweaving solo cello and occasional handbells. The album includes eight `Beatitudes', blessed chants from the Book of Matthew, for groups whose actions or burdens single them out for tribute from Christ. His arrangements of biblical prose include `Beati Pauperes (Blessed are the Poor)' and Beati Mundo Corde (Blessed are the Pure of Heart). There are also 4 new "Beatitudes" composed entirely by Howard, including `Pro curatis (For those that are cared for)' and `Pro Eis Sine Domo (For the stateless)', which sit alongside the original, flawless chants. In looking to fuse a modern approach to the style of ancient chants, it is undoubtedly this exploration that makes the collection such a unique and enchanting album.

Tracklist:

1 Beati I: Pro Curatis 7:12
2 Beati II: Pro Alios Curantibus 4:44
3 Beatitude I: Beati Pauperes 4:10
4 Beatitude II: Beati Mundo Corde 6:43
5 Beatitude III: Beati Qui Esuriunt 5:02
6 Beatitude IV: Beati Qui Lugent 7:10
7 Beatitude V: Beati Qui Persecutionem 6:04
8 Beatitude VI: Beati Misericordes 3:09
9 Beatitude VII: Beati Mites 4:30
10 Beatitude VIII: Beati Pacifici 5:58
11 Beati III: Pro Eis Solitariis 4:39
12 Beati IV: Pro Eis Sine Domo 7:25