College Choir release new CD: BYRD | BRITTEN
The Choir of Jesus College, Cambridge will release their latest CD on February 3rd. BYRD | BRITTEN combines the exquisite polyphony of William Byrd with the quirky modernism of Benjamin Britten.
The Choir’s sixth release with Signum Records, this will be the final CD to be recorded under the direction of Mark Williams.
Williams commented: “This disc brings together two of Britain’s most celebrated composers whose lives and beliefs estranged them from the British establishment. Throughout history, there are many examples of oppressive circumstances inspiring powerful music of protest. In Byrd and Britten, this protest is subtly portrayed through the choice and setting of text, through the use of allegory and through a certain melancholy which is often intangible but undoubtedly present.”
New Director of Music, Richard Pinel added: “I have really enjoyed working with the Choir since I arrived at Jesus College in January, and BYRD | BRITTEN really demonstrates the extent of their capabilities as an ensemble. It is a real testament to Mark’s legacy at Jesus, as the Choir masterfully combine the extroverted energy of Britten with the restrained, exquisite lines of William Byrd. I look forward to working with the Choir on future projects.”
BYRD| BRITTEN will be available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Byrd-Britten-Various-artists or iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com. It can also be purchased from Heffers and other good record stores.
