STRAVINSKY Canticum Sacrum, Agon & Requiem Canticles Canticum Sacrum for tenor, baritone, chorus and orchestra (1956) Soloists, Vocal Ensemble Stuttgart, SWR SO Baden-Baden/Michael Gielen This was like a welcome draught of pure fresh water after a surfeit of lush Messiaen in London's extensive centenary celebrations. Canticum Sacrum remains austere, but its awkward melodic lines are nowadays sung with ease by experienced interpreters of contemporary music, and this is a convincing account of a work which will never become popular, but must not be overlooked in reviewing his oeuvre. A timely and recommendable release, recorded with clarity and presented with full words and their sources (though not translated).The texts and commentaries are printed small and grey rather than black, making for some difficulty if you have imperfect eyesight. Peter Grahame Woolf |