Alpha-Omega

Alpha-Omega - BBC Music Magazine

Two discs by Cambridge-based choirs confirms the city's reputation as a centre of excellence. The high standard of Clare College comes as no surprise [...] but Kibblewhite's Cambridge Chorale, in only its fourth year of existence, is similarly impressive. The Chorale has a forward-looking programme: a young, previously undiscovered Latvian, Dubra, mixed with wordless sci-fi mood music that sounds synthesised, but isn't, and some crisply presented Monteverdi and Barber.

The choir's warm vibrant sound and the obvious commitment of its singers suggest it will go far. Dubra's works mix the usual Eastern European fare with the odd, surprising modern effect; the traditional Ave Maria suddenly collapses into a slow descending glissando - as if someone has pulled the plug on the CD player.