Gabriel Jackson: The Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Emma Tring soprano
Guy Cutting tenor
The Choir of Merton College, Oxford
Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia
Benjamin Nicholas conductor
an extraordinarily glowing performance … [the] text is delivered with impeccable clarity by the two soloists
MusicWeb International, August 2019
Jackson's striking re-telling of the Passion proves to be modern, majestic and deeply moving ... Soloists and choir eloquently weave through the shifting perspectives of this work of exquisite imagination with involving feeling
Choir & Organ, March/April 2019
rich with melodic embroidery … an effective, emotionally charged contemporary Passion
Emotionally charged performances, superb sound quality and highly informative annotations
Classical Music Daily, March 2019
RECOMMENDED: a libretto of considerable liturgical discernment and literary merit ... an extremely moving and profound work ... a very fine synthesis of words and music ... that offers at one and the same time a compelling, dramatic narrative and a deeply thoughtful series of reflections on [that] narrative
MusicWeb International, March 2019
★★★★★ Mellifluously emotive vocal writing is strikingly complemented by... dizzily picturesque instrumental scoring
★★★ The ambitious and ingenious libretto weaves Gospel narratives with infusions from TS Eliot and others; the Merton College Choir and Oxford Contemporary Sinfonia, conducted by Benjamin Nicholas, are always crisp.
An unabashedly diatonic, very singable work, one which would take a hard heart not to love ... The interplay between choir, tenor and instrumentalists is brilliantly handled ... this is among the best-sounding choral recordings I've heard ... music of unassuming, gentle radiance ... Brilliant – purchase forthwith.
★★★★★ CHORAL & SONG CHOICE: This outstanding recording ... bursts with energy... Jackson’s engaging score is richly colourful and his instrumental writing proves a particular highlight.
Palm Sunday
Anointing at Bethany
Last Supper and Footwashing
Gethsemane
Caiaphas, Peter and Pilate
Crucifixion
The End and the Beginning
