Sudden Light

Morgan, Emma; Reader, Tim; The Epiphoni Consort; Farr, Stephen; Pochin, Matthew

There is something in the music of David Bednall that speaks of the English genius; it is present in his harmonic language, in its extended diatonic chords and shimmering polytonal beauty, and there too in the folk-like melodies of many of the works on this recording. His art grows from the ground of native tradition, that of the Anglican cathedral and collegiate choir and its revival in the decades since the First World War; it owes a debt to those who ''collected'' English folksong, while it was still there to collect; and it connects with the richness of English lyrical poetry. A disciple of Vaughan Williams, Finzi or Howells? His music also harbors traces of Messiaen, Durufle and Vierne. The Epiphoni Consort and their director Tim Reader are passionate advocates of Bednall's music, and this enterprising debut recording - opening with the ravishing depiction of luminosity that is his 40-part motet Lux orta est lusto - serves to highlight why Bednall is well on his way to becoming one of the UK's best-loved living choral composers. The Epiphoni Consort was established in 2014 to bring together singers who have advanced vocal and choral training but other primary careers. It has since developed a reputation for creative programming with a commitment to the music of living composers. In 2015, the choir was winner of Tenebrae's Locus Iste Competition, following which they joined Tenebrae on stage at St. James', Spanish Place. The Consort performed at Sir Terry Pratchett's memorial at the Barbican and made its first TV appearance in 2016 in a BBC4 documentary, The Joy of Rachmaninov.

Price: $28.98