UK Harp Association, Sioned Williams
What a gem of a CD… The album features Elizabeth Poston, Imogen Holst, Judith Weir, Hilary Campbell, Olivia Sparkhall, Gemma McGregor & Gustav Holst, and newly commissioned works by Indian-American composer Shruthi Rajasekar.
This CD contains a stellar choice of repertoire for high voices and harp, including some premieres.
“I relish the wonderful sounds of pure magic from this young choir whose voices truly blend, as they ebb and sway through the most difficult, and often poignant, repertoire.”
To have this many fine works on one CD is a testament to the dedication of the choir and their conductor in discovering such intricate and worthwhile repertoire for this combination. I knew some of the works myself, and the title comes from the work by Imogen Holst.
“The harpist Louise Thomson is a real star on this recording… Louise plays with such clarity and plenty of varied dynamics, is rhythmically alive, and allows enough string resonance when needed.”
Having heard Louise and the choir live, I can testify that her playing balances with the choir excellently, sometimes as more of an accompanist and then, as more of a soloist. The Interlude for Harp (IV movement of Elizabeth Poston’s ‘An English Day-Book’) is just beautiful. I cannot decide which is my favourite track – I’m genuinely mesmerised by so much of it.
Thank you, Chandos and everyone for this CD, and for awarding the repertoire on it the recognition it truly deserves. If you get an opportunity to hear Corvus Consort with Louise Thomson live, it’s a must!
