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Passion

Passion, by Robert Hugill, is a setting of the passion story from St. John's Gospel, with 6 interpolated poems by Carl Cook. It is set for a 4-man a cappella vocal ensemble, (Alto, Tenor, Tenor, Bass), sung here by The Burgundian Cadence: Rupert Damerell, counter-tenor, Simon Biazeck, tenor, Matthew Woolhouse, tenor and Damian O'Keeffe, baritone. Rob Barnett of Classical Music on the Web, reviewing the CD, writes: "This is noticeably in the English cathedral tradition but is marked out by a luxuriance of tone not naturally associated with male voices. Robert Hugill's interpretation of the Passion is counterpointed by the poetry of Carl Cook. The richness of tone is remarkable given that the ensemble comprises only four voices: a counter-tenor, two tenors and a bass. All the voices are impressive but I especially mark out Rupert Damerell's counter-tenor (Jesus) which consistently reaps emotional shivers of pleasure (try track 2). Clarity of diction is clearly important to the singers and the composer. However this is achieved inside a lively and reverberant sound-envelope. The reverberation could easily have clouded the words but this problem is skilfully avoided.”

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