Choir & Organ

There ought to be more recordings like this. The art of setting words and delivering them musically is widely discussed, but the words as a starting point are often left behind. Here, three contemporary Irish poets, with the earlier Lola Ridge, and W.B. Yeats read by broadcaster Carl Corcoran, are given the opportunity to present their work in isolation, cadence as written rather than as they are then sung.

It makes for fascinating listening and far from generating any tension between the written and sung form, the juxtaposition illuminates both.

Laetare are experts at this kind of thing, and of maintaining a strong balance between folk, classical and modern styles, which they blend into a single consistent voice. (Four Stars)

—Brian Morton