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American Record Guide

Asmata is a work for voices and piano whose ‘Lullaby’ (II) makes such alluring use of quarter tones (tremendously sung by Alison Smart) and ‘Red Lips’ (VIII) gives acrobatic lines to the soprano while the piano remains grounded and unassuming. ‘My Greatest Regret’ (XII) begins with big, thick chords in the piano; the morose, crying-out soprano entrance makes clear that the title of the movement is being explicitly explored in its music. Byzantine Doxology (the work on the second disc) is a magical and moving piece for unaccompanied voices where Patrick Ardagh-Walter’s bass gleams like gold, especially in the breathtaking moments where the sonic space between the bass and sopranos spans too many octaves to count. Of its eight movements, III, ‘O Lord I have Cried’ is kinetic and pleading. ‘Hosanna in the Highest’ (VI) is a luxurious, unhurried movement. ‘Rest the Souls’ (VIII) is warm and reassuring. This is very difficult music performed at a very high level.