Composer: Cecilia McDowall
Performer: Wimbledon Choral, Kate Royal, Benjamin Hulett, Roderick Williams
Orchestra: City Of London Sinfonia
Conductor: Neil Ferris
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Signum
Catalogue: SIGCD749
Release: 2023
Size: 1 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Da Vinci Requiem
01. I. Introit and Kyrie
02. II. The Virgin of the Rocks
03. III. I Obey Thee, O Lord (Lacrymosa)
04. IV. Sanctus and Benedictus
05. V. Agnus Dei
06. VI. O You Who Are Asleep
07. VII. Lux Aeterna
Seventy Degrees Below Zero
08. I. We Measure
09. II. The Ice Tree
10. III. To My Widow
“Da Vinci Requiem brings together my chosen Latin texts from the Missa pro Defunctis with extracts from The Notebooks of Leonardo da Vinci, and is structured in seven movements in the shape of an arch… It has been a fascinating exploration, aligning Leonardo’s extraordinary insights, both artistic and philosophical, with such a profound and ancient text.
“Seventy degrees below zero is a three-movement work for chamber orchestra and tenor soloist. [Inspired by work carried out by the Scott Polar Research Institute], the phrase for the title was taken from Scott’s Letter to his wife: ‘Dear, it is not easy to write because of the cold – 70 degrees below zero.’ The scientific exploration and data collected by Captain Scott’s team at the beginning of the 20th century still powerfully underlies the research which continues to this day. It was with a desire to join the past with the present that I asked the poet, Seán Street, to write two poems to accompany Scott’s words: words from ‘then’ and words from ‘now’.” – Cecilia McDowall
Wimbledon Choral has been described by many as “one of the most substantial and formidable choirs in London… a vigorous and sophisticated choral ensemble.” The choir is over 100 years old, re-founded in the early stages of the First World War, but its earliest recorded roots go back to 1870. Today they are a modern, dynamic group of singers, always ready to stretch themselves and try new things, making sure they keep up the reputation of one of the finest amateur symphonic choirs in South East England.