… and …

May 16, 2020
Naxos

Arvo Pärt, Julia Wolfe, Caroline Shaw and songs from Laudario di Cortona.

“…deep popular roots medieval chants and the spiritual uplifting of Pärt’s soaring music… this juxtaposition becomes fascinating.” – Le Devoir

“This beautifully conceived recording opens with two works by Caroline Shaw and Julia Wolfe, interleaved with groups of sacred works by Arvo Pärt as well as six Laude from Cortona in Tuscany. The Laude, drawn from a 13th-century manuscript which was only discovered in the 19th century, are imaginatively arranged by Paul Hillier.

Sung with a huge expressive range, from rustic energy to rapt contemplation, the medieval works forge connections with the 21st-century compositions through shared keys, motives, textures and words. But there is plenty of variety, from the slow and contemplative, to the lilting and dancelike. This is outstanding programming.”

BBC Music Magazine

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