The UYMP office was pleased to read Paul Conway's excellent review of the CD Apocalypse by Ex Corde Vocal Ensemble conducted by Paul Gameson in the Jul-Sep edition of Musical Opinion magazine. The disc was released on Resonus Classics and features three works by David Lancaster inspired by the stained glass and carvings in All Saints Church, York.
The effect of the "impeccably crafted" Apocalypse (2012), a work recounting the story of the end of the world as depicted in one of the church's windows, is said to be "spellbinding as the composer deftly explores the diverse layers of material, contrasting and co-ordinating the old with the new". The piece is described as "meticulously conceived, vividly picturesque", and with a "forbiddingly sombre, chillingly benumbed" close. Soprano soloist Anna Snow is said to bring "humanity to the cataclysmic spectacle", and the choir accompanying with "equally top-flight musicianship". Lancaster's "flawlessly interpreted" Magnificat (2021) stands out as a "serene, intensely devotional standalone piece".
The final work of the album, At the Edge of the World (2022) with poetry by Abi Curtis, tells the story of fourteenth-century anchoress Emma Raughton who took up isolated residence in the church. Lancaster's "mesmeric, multi layered and texturally variegated" textures perfectly complements the structures and reflections of Emma Raughton's introspective ecclesiastical life, as the "disparate sources are heard sequentially, jointly and asynchronously". Performed with "outstanding commitment and an unfailingly imaginative approach" by Ex Corde, the score is said to have "some of the spiritual focus, incantatory power and visionary breadth of a late score by John Tavener".
Conway ends by noting that this "well-recorded release offers music-making on the highest level", and highly recommends it to readers.