Stephen Layton, The Holst Singers - John Tavener: The Veil Of The Temple (2003) [SACD]

A most remarkable set of a remarkable composition. This was recorded at the 1st 2 (overnight) performances of the entire All-Night Vigil (from which this concert-length version is drawn) & what seems to have been a daytime performance using over 1800 gigabytes of data storage!!!
A most remarkable set of a remarkable composition. This was recorded at the 1st 2 (overnight) performances of the entire All-Night Vigil (from which this concert-length version is drawn) & what seems to have been a daytime performance using over 1800 gigabytes of data storage!!!
Hidden at the back of exemplary notes (more of which in a moment), there is a note which explains about the recordings of the performances:
“The live performances made use of all parts of the Temple Church which has near ideal acoustics for vocal music. Much of the work involves choirs at opposite ends of the building with instrumentalists located in the middle. In some parts the performers moved around while singing and by the end of the work the entire audience was completely surrounded by nearly 200 vocalists, arranged around the whole building. In the mixing process we have aimed to reflect this as closely as possible, given the limitations of six track (SACD only) or two track reproduction systems.”
I can only concur with the statement about the acoustic properties – these discs have stunningly clear yet rounded sound! It really is quite staggering in MCH and good though the stereo layer is, it is no competition – this is a composition where not to have MCH really makes the experience poorer for the listener.