Roxanna Panufnik: Spring (1997 rev.2007). Universal Edition

£10.50

Set for double SATB and organ, the text here is by Gerard Manley Hopkins ('Nothing is so beautiful as Spring'). This is a difficult piece which would need top notch forces to perform it. The part writing is complex, intervals irregular and tuning crucial with the juxtaposition of neighbouring chords and neighbouring tonality. There is a welcome clarity in this complex piece given by a supporting organ ostinato, or simple long pedal notes and broad unison writing. At £10.50 it is expensive, but this is down to its 121 bars being well laid out and spread generously over the 31 pages.

AR