Sky Of My Heart
BIS, 2025
9/10
The vocal ensemble, New York Polyphony, present works that span over 480 years, where each of the 13 selections radiates in its own inimitable light.
Willam Byrd’s “Eccentric quam bonum” starts with Andrew Fuchs’ soaring tenor that aligns with much of beauty among the other voices, and “Canticum Canticorum I”, by Ivan Moody, follows with a harmonic intimacy, as the vocals emit strong tonality.
Further along, John Tavener’s “The Lamb” leads in a more minimal climate that tugs on the heartstrings, while “The Last Invocation”, by Paul Moravec, blends Geoffrey Williams’ counter-tenor, Steven Caldicott Wilson’s tenor and Craig Phillips’ bass with Fuchs’ tenor, where each voice emits its own distinct range.
Close to the end, Andrew Smith’s “Katarsis” is full of soulful timbre, as eloquent and emotion pour out of the vocalists, and “The Silver Swan” exits with a poetic and soothing quality that will always be relevant.
This is the ensemble’s 10th commercial album, and the guest spots from LeStrange Viols and interpretations of Renaissance composers and 20th and 21st century works makes this a standout effort for the quartet.
Travels well with: Third Coast Percussion- Standard Stoppages; Nathan Davis- Earthworks