Jonathan Harvey: The Angels, Ashes Dance Back & Other Choral Works

Dive into the captivating world of Jonathan Harvey's avant-garde choral compositions with this remarkable album, featuring some of his most innovative and spiritually resonant works. Released on Hyperion in April 2011, this collection showcases Harvey's unique musical language and his mastery of electronic and choral textures. The album spans a productive seven-year period in Harvey's career, from 1994 to 2001, and includes four stunning pieces: "The Angels," "Ashes Dance Back," "Marahi," and "The Summer Cloud's Awakening."

The Latvian Radio Choir, under the direction of James Wood, delivers thrilling performances, making their Hyperion debut with these works. Harvey's compositions explore mystical and religious themes, often incorporating electronic elements and unconventional vocal techniques. "Ashes Dance Back," for instance, interweaves a specialist chorus with pre-recorded sounds to depict death through a Persian poem, while "The Summer Cloud's Awakening" features Tibetan monkey-drums and ritual bells, adding layers of cultural depth.

Recorded in November 2008 at St. John's Church in Riga, Latvia, this album benefits from exceptional production and engineering by Jonathan Harvey and Andris Uze, respectively. The performances are both technically impressive and deeply moving, showcasing the choir's versatility and Harvey's compositional genius.

This album is a testament to Jonathan Harvey's status as Britain's foremost composer of electronic music, offering a rich and immersive experience for both longtime fans and newcomers to his work. With a total duration of over an hour, this collection is a significant addition to any classical or avant-garde music library.