conductor John Poole with the Nash Ensemble Last of four concerts
Elizabeth Maconchy The Leaden Echo and the Golden Echo (first broadcast performance) SARAH LEONARD (soprano) Edward Cowie
Gesangbuch, for 24 voices and 12 instruments Here were Romantic sensualities in plenty, with Maconchy's evocatively shimmering textures aptly complementing Hopkins's repetitive, alliterative poems, the ' echoes of St Winifred's Well '. Cowie's piece, too, treats words in an unusual way. He has provided an exhilarating challenge for professional choirs; few but the BBC Singers ... would be able to meet his demands with such success.
(MUSICAL TIMES)