This
is one of the least interesting recordings it has been my misfortune
to review. On the surface, the idea seems first class an attempt
to write a Requiem, which attempts to bring together Christianity,
Islam and parochial America. The titles of the various sections
of the disc are as follows:
1.
Requiem (Vision by President Lincoln).
2.
Sanctus (Islam is Peace) excerpts from the Arab Committee.
3.
Benedictus (Osama, Merry Ramadam)
4.
Dies Irae (When Liberty Goes Out of a Place and Minute of Silence)
5.
Numbers (Chapter Six).
We
then have three further tracks, presumably in case you did not
hear them first time around, excerpts from Requiem 1 Osama,
Islam is Peace and Sanctus.
On
the face of it, not a bad idea to attempt to bring together these
disparate parts into a unified whole especially as the vocal performances
are so good. What for me totally negates the exercise is the utter
banality of some of the musical material. It is all very well
making it populist, so that it can be easily assimilated, but
this is just utterly banal, and the record company should have
applied the judgement that this just isnt good enough for general
release.
Within
this work there are smatterings of Orthodox flavoured chants (not
too bad, except it degenerates into high pitched shouting), followed
by poor trumpet playing with poor jazz band accompaniment very
closely miked so it becomes oppressive
need I go on?
This
is a great shame as the various soloists acquit themselves well,
with strong, not unpleasant voices, with minimal obtrusive vibrato.
The orchestra (nameless as is the conductor) also dont do a bad
job either). This only adds to the disappointment I had in reviewing
this issue.
I
shall not be listening to this again twice was more than enough!
John
Phillips
Large Symphony Orchestra/unidentified
conductor(not shown on sleeve could it be the composer?).