IKON

Music for The Soul & Spirit

The Sixteen/ Harry Christophers

Tracklist

1. Rejoice, O Virgin (Bogoróditse Dévo) - Sergei Rachmaninov (1873-1943)

2. Song for Athene - John Tavener (b.1944)

3. We Hymn Thee (Tebé poyém) - Sergei Rachmaninov

4 & 5. Exhortation and Kohima - John Tavener

6. De Profundis - Arvo Pärt (b.1935)

7. A Child's Prayer - James MacMillan (b. 1959)

Soloists: Elin Manahan Thomas, Grace Davidson

8. Lord, now lettest Thou (Nïñe otpushcháyeshï) - Victor Kalinnikov (1870-1927)

9. A New Song - James MacMillan (b.1959)

10. The Woman with the Alabaster Box - Arvo Pärt

11. The Cherubic Hymn (Izhe heruvímï) - Sergei Rachmaninov

12. Pater Noster - Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971)

13. Bless, the Lord, O My Soul (Blagosloví, dushé moyá, Ghóspda) - Pavel Chesnokov (1877-1944)

14. Ave Maria - Igor Stravinsky

15. We Hymn Thee (Tebé poyém) - Pavel Chesnokov

16. O Weisheit - Arvo Pärt

17. Nunc Dimittis - Gustav Holst Soloists: Julie Cooper, Mark Dobell

Ikon delves into the great wealth of choral music to come out of Russia, Estonia and the UK. The title of the disc alludes to the religious theme that runs throughout the works. Eminent Russian composers Rachmaninov and Stravinsky are represented on the disc as well as the lesser-known Kalinnikov and Chesnokov. Other composers to be selected from outside Russia include Holst, Tavener, Pärt and MacMillan. The pieces on the disc are of varying renown, some of them already well-loved and others which will test the knowledge of even the most ardent music-lover, ensuring that it will be a journey of discovery for everyone.

James MacMillan's A Child's Prayer was composed in response to the terrible slaughter of primary school children in Dunblane, Scotland on 13th March 1996. As the ten-year anniversary of this horrific event approaches, the inclusion of this work takes on extra significance. Coincidentally, at the very moment this track was being recorded, young tennis star and Dunblane survivor Andy Murray was playing in the semi-finals of the Thailand Open, a game which was being followed avidly by members of the choir in between takes. Tavener's haunting Song for Athene became a nation's favourite after it was sung at the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales in 1997.

UCJ 4763160