Sempiternam: Choral music by Rhona Clarke

“

Clarke writes with a strong sense of the choral tradition, frequently setting Latin texts, and the sound reflects this, often sounding like choral music from the 15th century or somewhere equally dim and distant but also with a very modern feel. It’s Clarke at her peak, and is breath-taking in parts.

” —Jeremy Condliffe

“

Rhona Clarke’s music on this disc covers a wide range of expression, and reveals a composer of rare gifts, , revealing a sensitivity to word-setting exceptional amongst living composers. Fascinating and in many ways quite original. A most interesting and very worthwhile disc, well presented and finely recorded.

” —James Palmer

“

Rhona Clarke’s mastery of choral writing manifests itself in several ways. While Clarke is not shy about challenging her singers, her compositions always respect the beauty of the human voice. This is a superb release in every respect.

” —Ken Melzer

“

Clarke’s wide-ranging writing (gleaming dissonance, vocal glissando, glowing harmonies) seems to invoke eternity. This is a lovely disc. Rhona Clarke’s music is certainly worthy of attention, and it is wonderful to hear it in performances of this calibre.

” —Colin Clarke

“

Mesmerizingly beautiful material. There is a nice variety of dramatic landscapes here. this inspirational and highly imaginative music deserves a wider audience.

” —Peter Burwasser

“

Clarke’s skill in writing for massed voices comes through consistently, whether setting religious or secular texts. She is helped by the lovely performances. Māris Sirmais and State Choir LATVIJA sing with beauty of tone, precise intonation, and clear diction. This was a very pleasing discovery for me, a recording I shall return to often.

” —Henry Fogel

“

This impressive CD by talented Irish composer Rhona Clarke demonstrates her diverse choral style and how she compellingly combines early style music with contemporary tonality. The Requiem shows Clarke at her finest… [a] magnificent piece. The Latvia State Choir is outstanding. The quality of their performance is first rate, not only in establishing an inspirational interpretation of Clarke’s music but also in ensuring clarity of words.

” —Lydia Kakabadse

“

The technical finesse of Clarke’s choral writing and her ability to ‘home in’ on the expressive essence of the text(s) at hand makes for an emotional empathy which communicates directly to listeners. It helps when the contribution of the State Choir LATVIJA, under Māris Sirmais, is so attuned to this music. [This recording] underlines the stylistic extent of her music as well as its versatility over a range of texts from the Medieval to the present era.

” —Richard Whitehouse

“

A varied program ranging from sacred to secular, dissonant to melodic, and complex fare to children’s rhymes where spirited handclapping is the order of the day. She’s not in a rut. See what you think of her 4-movement Requiem. I rather like it.

” —Philip Greenfield

“

From the opening crescendo of the first piece on the disc, Clarke proves herself adept at writing for massed voices. In all cases, Clarke’s settings fit the words well and allow the texts to come through clearly; and the fine pacing and clarity of the choir under Māris Sirmais show the music in its best and most-effective light.

” —Mark J. Estren

“

“Clarke here stakes a claim as a significant composer of choral music…. one of Ireland’s most cherished composers. {An} inviting recording pairs the composer’s choral music with the superb State Choir Latvija’s richly resonant sound.” – Liam Cagney (Gramophone)
Gramophone Editor’s Choice May 2022

” —Liam Cagney

“

The music here is suffused with a sense of loss and grief, impeccably performed by the Latvian choir. Beautifully done.

” —Brian Morton