Michael Finnissy: Comfortable Words. OUP

No price

Familiar words to those who grew up with BCP 1662. The music rather surprised me as it is less than comfortable. The harmonies that accompany 'Hear what…' are quite dissonant (accompanied by a doubling organ), and are followed by a unison statement by the choir above a light and rhythmically and harmonically complex organ part. The press material says that the music 'gives the words a new strength and intensity'. It is part of the 'New Horizons' series which 'showcases the wealth of exciting, innovative and occasionally challenging choral music' – I'll say!

AR