James MacMillan: Tenebrae Responsories

This selection of sacred choral music by Scottish composer James MacMillan sounds at times as if his heart must have been about to burst with fervour when he was writing it. And the singers of Westminster Cathedral Choir strive to outdo him, piling on the pressure with a stress-inducing heartiness of lung power. The results are sonically spectacular as the organ thunders, the brass blaze and the singing takes the voices to what sounds like their limits. Yes, there's inwardness as well, but the brightness that threatens to obliterate detail in its dazzle is what dominates. The visceral is the thing. The excitement is very real but, for my money, MacMillan's music sounds better when the approach is more subtle. Try Cappella Nova on Linn Records for contrast. url.ie/4qdb