And The Sun Darkened
Bis, 2021
8/10
Listen to And The Sun Darkened
The long running male classical vocal quartet New York Polypony are back with a return to form, where in an hour they offer new and ancient works organized around texts appropriate for Passiontide, the last two weeks of the lenten season in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.
Loyset Compére’s “Crux triumphans” starts the listen with the many voices harmonizing with much skill and attention to pitch as the 6 minute opener displays both power and restraint, and “Tu pauperum refugium” follows with the precisely layered vocals emitting much emotion and spirit in the Josquin Desprez composition.
Further on, Adrian Willaert’s “Paster noster- Ave Maria” spreads across 2 movements of timeless classical sounds amid a dizzying display of vocal acrobatics, while “Officium de Cruce” unfolds over several dramatic movements where a spiritual quality enters as similarities to Pierre de la Rue and Josquin des Prez presents itself on the Loyset Compére work.
“O Salutaris hostia”, by Pierre de la Rue, exits the listen, and showcases gentle, tuneful rhythm, as some of the most glorious singing develops alongside a majestic finish.
It’s no surprise that New York Polyphony have been Grammy nominated multiple times, and with And The Sun Darkened they are further solidifying themselves as one of the most exciting vocal chamber ensembles who exists today.
Travels well with: The Crossing- Tower And The Garden; George Palmer- Breaking The Silence