COMPOSERS: Benjamin Britten; John Rutter
LABELS: Smekkleysa
ALBUM TITLE: Britten • Rutter
WORKS: A Ceremony of Carols; Dancing Day
PERFORMER: Elisabet Waage (harp); Graduale Nobili/Jón Stefánsson
CATALOGUE NO: SMC19
Graduale Nobili is a 24-voice choir of young women (aged 17 to 24) from Iceland, whose recent activities include a collaboration with the singer-songwriter Björk. Crystalline pure tone and fluid phrasing characterise the choir’s singing, and make for an atmospheric if slightly too well-mannered performance of Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Rutter’s cycle Dancing Day makes for a surprisingly effective coupling, and both works benefit from the exquisitely sensitive harp accompaniments of Elísabet Waage. Outstanding recorded sound enhances this enticing package.