Search - Kenneth Leighton, Finzi Singers, Anna Crookes :: Kenneth Leighton: Choral Music

Possibly Kenneth Leighton's finest hour

Mark Swinton | 11/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"With this disc, the Finzi Singers added Kenneth Leighton to the list of twentieth century choral masters in whose work they specialise. It is nothing short of stunning.Leighton's death in 1988 came tragically early - barely a year before his 60th birthday. He lives on vibrantly in his sizeable output, however, and of that output there are few works that demonstrate him better than the choral works. His setting of "The Coventry Carol," written whilst he was still a teenager, is often found on the music lists of British cathedrals each Christmas - it is surely one of the most ravishing pieces in the carol repertoire, with its unforgettable harmonies and exquisite use of soprano solo balanced against choral accompaniment. Olive Simpson is perhaps a little quiet in the role, but in general the piece is lovingly captured.Leighton's style evolved into something more dissonant during his twenties and thirties, partly due to studies with Goffredo Petrassi. Pieces such as "God's Grandeur" (the first track) are powerful examples of this grittier writing, clearly inspired by serialism but always closer to tonality than to Schoenberg... The same can be said of the anthem "Give me the wings of faith" with its uncertain and spine-chilling organ introduction and a steady build to a stirring climax at the end. "What Love is this of Thine?" on the other hand is an unashamedly tonal work dating from Leighton's last decade, when he sought to simplify his style - purging it of complexity and giving it a more natural, heartfelt feel.The highlights of the programme are the "Mass" and the triple-choir anthem "Laudate pueri," both receiving their premiere recordings. In the former, Leighton pours forth everything that makes his music so characteristic - use of soloists againsts full choir, urgent and often dance-like rhythms, brilliant harmonies, short and instantly memorable melodic fragments, free modulations - the result being a wonderful setting of the text that clearly shows an unshakeable religious faith as well as a masterful command of choral techniques. The work is unaccompanied apart from the "Credo" in which an organ part provides a sturdy foundation to the rapid declamations of the singers. "Laudate pueri" is even more powerful, with its exhaustive journey through the combined vocal textures of three SATB choirs, creating fierce clashes along with some absolutely magical moments when the choirs pass material between each other. This work is pure joy - the work of a fertile creative mind that obviously takes joy in producing it - and makes a glorious ending to the programme.

The Finzi Singers really outdo themselves with this music; Paul Spicer has every reason to be proud of them. There are slightly more of them than usual (five on each voice part, making a total of 20) which makes for some thrilling climaxes and rich pianissimo moments, as well as providing sufficient forces for "Laudate pueri." Andrew Lumsden's organ playing is sensitive and strong as ever. In short, this is as much their finest moment as it is Kenneth Leighton's.Reserve your copies without delay!"