Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Nico Muhly
Performer: Parker Ramsay, Rosie Hilal, Choir of King’s College Cambridge
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Kings College
Catalogue: KGS0066
Release: 2022
Size: 4.79 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
Bach: Partita No. 2 In C Minor, BWV 826
01. I. Sinfonia
02. II. Allemande
03. III. Courante
04. IV. Sarabande
05. V. Rondeau
06. VI. Capriccio
Muhly: The Street (harp solo)
07. Station I. Jesus is condemned to death
08. Station II. Jesus takes up his Cross
09. Station III. Jesus falls for the first time
10. Station IV. Jesus meets his Mother
11. Station V. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
12. Station VI. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
13. Station VII. Jesus falls for the second time
14. Station VIII. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
15. Station IX. Jesus falls for the third time
16. Station X. Jesus is stripped of his garments
17. Station XI. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
18. Station XII. Jesus dies on the Cross
19. Station XIII. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
20. Station XIV. Jesus is laid in the tomb
CD 02
Muhly: The Street (full version)
01. Station I. Jesus is condemned to death
02. Station II. Jesus takes up his Cross
03. Station III. Jesus falls for the first time
04. Station IV. Jesus meets his Mother
05. Station V. Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the Cross
06. Station VI. Veronica wipes the face of Jesus
07. Station VII. Jesus falls for the second time
08. Station VIII. Jesus meets the women of Jerusalem
09. Station IX. Jesus falls for the third time
10. Station X. Jesus is stripped of his garments
11. Station XI. Jesus is nailed to the Cross
12. Station XII. Jesus dies on the Cross
13. Station XIII. Jesus is taken down from the Cross
14. Station XIV. Jesus is laid in the tomb
For his second album for King’s College, Cambridge, harpist and alumnus Parker Ramsay performs ‘The Street’ by acclaimed composer Nico Muhly and librettist Alice Goodman, a dramatic new work for harp solo, narration and plainchant, based on the Fourteen Stations of the Cross. In its complete form, ‘The Street’ weaves together the three sonic elements of Parker’s harp, Rosie Hilal’s narration, and plainchant from the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, for a powerful presentation of the story of Jesus’ final days in a uniquely beautiful way. An alternative version of the work for harp solo is also included. Following the success of Parker Ramsay’s first album, J.S. Bach’s ‘Goldberg Variations’ performed on the harp, the album also contains a performance of the Partita No. 2 in C Minor, BWV 826.
Born in 1991, Parker Ramsay is one of the most talented harpists of his generation. After his first album, which contained arrangements of the Goldberg Variations and received high praise from Gramophone and BBC Music Magazine, he’s back with a second album released by Kings College Recordings – the label belonging to the eponymous choir. Similar to the previous album, this release opens with a new arrangement of the Partita for keyboard No. 2 in C minor BWV 826 by Bach. It’s impossible to find fault with this sublime interpretation that’s nothing short of flawless. The impeccable articulation; the meticulous care given to the different ranges; the perfectly measured suspension and phrasing: it all makes this rereading a true gem. It’s made all the more impressive since a harpist is faced with a challenge that doesn’t arise in the piano or harpsichord version: maintaining the legibility of the melodic lines despite the resonance of the instrument. It’s fair to say that Ramsay gets off without a hitch here. The next part of the release presents The Street, a contemporary work by American post-minimalist composer Nico Muhly, known for his various collaborations with singer Björk, composer Philip Glass and choreographer Benjamin Millepied, amongst others. Conceived as a variation on the Fourteen Stations of the Cross, a part of the Christian tradition, The Street is performed in two versions. The first is for solo harp, which gives the listener the option to follow along with Alice Goodman’s text provided in the booklet. The second is a full version featuring the Kings College Choir singing and reading Goodman’s texts. The choir singing interspersed with the reading and the harp score prevents the text from becoming an oratorio libretto and entails a much more interesting and introspective product. It’s fascinating how listening to these two versions in conjunction highlights the depth of the musical part, which works just as well in its purely instrumental version as it does in its textual arrangement. Whether or not the listener is one of faith, it’s impossible to remain unmoved by the driving force behind this stunning work, which expresses an overwhelming yet ultimately soothing spirituality. This is a fascinating record that’s only enhanced by the unique acoustics of the Kings College Chapel.