ILLUMINA
The Choir of Clare College
Directed by Timothy Brown
Recorded in the wonderful Lady Chapel of Ely Cathedral

Dixitque Deus fiat lux et facta est lux.
Taking "light" as their theme the choir of Clare College, Cambridge present a recital of acappella works ranging across the centuries from Gregorian chant to the astringent modernism of Ligeti, whose Lux aeterna played such a prominent role on the soundtrack of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey. With such a wide remit and apparently arbitrary theme, it would be a surprise if the program didn't feel a little disjointed. Prepare to be surprised. Perhaps it's the seemingly effortless sound production of the choir, or the radiant acoustic of Ely Cathedral, but whatever the reason each work appears new-minted in such capable hands.

It would be invidious to select highlights from a recording that makes a virtue of the seamless integration of disparate individual pieces, but Hildegard's O coruscans lux stellarum stands out, if only because it's scored for women's voices alone, while Charles Wood's anthem, Hail, Gladdening Light, arrests the ear because it's the only piece with an English text. Otherwise, even the Ligeti is given a comfortingly restful reading that's entirely appropriate in such a context


1. Lumen - Alexander Jupp
2. Bring Us, O Lord God - William Harris
3. Ehtoohymni - Einojuhani Rautavaara
4. Nyinye otpushchayeshi - Sergei Rachmaninov
5. O Lux Beata Trinitas - William Byrd
6. O coruscans lux stellarum - Hildegard Of Bingen
7. O Nata Lux - Thomas Tallis
8. Te Lucis Ante Terminum - Thomas Tallis
9. Hymn to the Creator of Light - John Rutter
10. Hail, Gladdening Light - Charles Wood
11. Christie, qui lux es et dies - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
12. Nunc Dimittis - Gustav Holst
13. Christe, Qui Lux Es Et Dies - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
14. Nunc Dimittis - Josquin Desprez
15. Svyetye tikhii - Alexandr Tikhonovic Grechaninov
16. Svyetye tikhii - Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky
17. Lucis Creator optime - Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina
18. Lux Aeterna - Gyorgy Ligeti



Do not listen to this on ear buds or computer speakers. This deserves the finest stereo reproduction to receive the finest audio reward. The sound created within Ely Cathedral's Lady Chapel is magnificent indeed, itself a lattice of stone and windows that is appropriately engulfed with light.


So once more my little bouncing bunnies, YOU have to PM *me* for the link. Start bouncing with the joy of expectation. This is great stuff. (has P1 ever fibbed?)

The Cambridge Clare College Choir is not new to me.
Thanks to you and your previous posts (Christmas Day
in the Morning, Christmas Night-Carols of the Nativity,
Carols From Clare College) I have enjoyed their fine
music many times in the last 6 months.

This is an extraordinary album!
The recording is excellent and all the tracks are beautiful.
I think though that Ligeti's "Lux Aeterna" is astonishing!
So my advice to all is: Grab it fast!

Thank you for your gift, my friend.
A little bunny.

Strangely there are only four comments about this recording on USA Amazon- I stole the following from there:

The Choir of Clare College have made recordings in the past, but not one of them is nearly as stunning as this. Timothy Brown draws the most amazing quality of sound from the singers: every note is precise, every word is clear, every texture is sonorous to the right degree, the balance is superb, the dynamic control is exquisite... The choir was obviously having a good year in terms of basses, who negotiate the infernal notes in the Rachmaninov and Rautavaara tracks with incredible power and admirable precision. Similarly, the sopranos and altos (Clare College Choir is mixed rather than all-male as at King's College) have a beautiful tone in the high registers of their voices. Completing the package are the scintillating acoustics of the recording venue: the Lady Chapel at Ely Cathedral. This lends a wonderful glow to all the music, even the Ligeti (I've never heard it sung as well as this)

This has been a favorite disc for a long time... surprised more folks who love choral music have never picked up on it, but now all you bunnies have the opportunity: Rejoice!!! ;-)

May I have a link, please? Thanks!!!!!!!

Thank you so much bru!!!

nice things!
thank you much for share, and fast link send.

Thank you for the link! I'm looking forward to listen to it.

Thank you so much!

Glad so many have shown an interest in this. Rather unique to have so much choral music dedicated to LIGHT and so brilliantly (pun intended) recorded. Makes you feel as if you are in the Ely Cathedral.

From this music,light flowing
As your cat's eyes shining

Many thanks Phideas ! CdS