Search - Salomone Rossi, Ali / Goudimel, Claude Ufki, Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck :: Sacred Bridges

The Arts Lend a Light to Global Understanding

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 10/24/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"SACRED BRIDGES is not just a recording of great beauty and intensely interesting music, it is also a solid though quiet stance about global understanding, especially in the realm of basic spiritual flow and similarities among the currently (and historically) disjunctive elements of Christianity, Judaism, and Islamism.



The King's Singers couple with Sarband (an instrumental group playing the reed flute, a three-stringed violin, a zither, and a small drum)) present a seamless series of psalms, prayers, incantations and other religious utterances and music from all three religions. The result is uncannily beautiful and enormously moving. From 16th and 17th psalms of Sweelinck, Rossi and Goudimal to Jewish works by composer Hebreo to Islamic ones by composer Ufki, the chants and instrumental episodes form this running song of mood and heightened awareness and are unique and wholly lovely. One cannot step away from this recording without connecting to the thread that joins all religions - if religions are broken down into their essential elements of spirituality, sincerity, and longing for peace and brotherhood.



The performers are, as expected, outstanding and the variety of music will find some new voices for different people depending on their spiritual and musical background. And that is as it should be - a sacred bridge of discovery that we all are beings with shared needs. This recording should be placed in the libraries of not only music enthusiasts, but also in homes where people seek to understand the nebulous differences among these three great belief systems. Highly recommended on every level. Grady Harp, October 05"

Transforming Music

D. Michael Blachly | Gainesville, FL USA | 10/15/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In a world where the result of our collective knowledge of the diverse cultures is the hope for global understanding, this album is pivotal.



As a Performing Arts Presenter, I had the opportunity to present the United States Premiere of the collaboration between The King's Singers and Sarband--"Sacred Bridges." Before an awed audience of 400 people this album was recreated in its entirety. Performed straight through, without breaks for applause, the work left the audience in stunned silence for a full thirty seconds before applause began from one individual and then grew to the entire group assembled. The end result was aboth a standing ovation and a crescendo generated by the audience that is normally associated with rock concerts.



Take a quiet hour and sit with this album. You will be moved in ways not normally transmitted by the recorded notes. This album represents what occurred on stage for our audience. It's special both for the King's Singers fans, but those looking for a more world music investment for their unmatched vocal harmonies.



Michael Blachly, Director

University of Florida Performing Arts"

Where is the harmony?

Waverley36 | Nunya | 10/13/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I love the ecumenism of this CD: the idea of exploring sameness through musical difference, of finding links or "bridges" between the three faiths. But for me the music was not up to the concept, and the CD was a disappointment. I can sum up my problem with the recording simply: the King's Singers are simply one of the most powerful forces for harmony in the world of recorded music, yet on this CD they are not often allowed to harmonize. A disproportionate amount of the album is given over to Sarband and their reedy, meandering sound, on long tracks where only one member of the King's Singers accompanies. What's the point of gathering the King's Singers together and not putting their amazingly tight harmonies to work? Further, I'm open to exploring new musical ideas and settings for the Psalms, but I confess I have a hard time listening to psalms that you could bellydance to. An excellent idea for an album, but for the King's Singers fan it fails to deliver."