Fair performance degraded by recording engineers
James M George Jr (jgmanage@aol.com | North Shore, Massachusetts | 10/27/1999
(3 out of 5 stars)
"This is a difficult piece, and very sensitive. It is beautiful on its own. In this recording of the Ceremony, though, the choir lacks the expected precision, and the cathedral echo blurs the fineness of the close harmonies. The harp is too loud in comparison to the choir in many places: out of balance. Sigh. It is certainly listenable, there are no obvious flaws, but I find myself wanting to hear it in a small chamber with limited (or no) reverberation, perhaps with only one left and right microphone. This music can be "felt" when done properly. I'm only hearing it."
From one of the performers...........
Marcus Body | London, UK | 03/05/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"With reference to one of the other reviews, there are many recordings of this piece recorded in a sterile studio environment. One of the distinctive qualities of a King's recording is the reality of the recording being done in the chapel where the choir sings 6 times a week. Oh, and amazon, sort it out. The name's Body not Brody. You're thinking of the librarian from Indiana Jones. Rated this one three stars as we did better. The "English Anthems" CD is one example"