Dean / Venosa / Tüür: Gesualdo

   in Choir & Organ (Jan, 2016)
With wonderful sound quality, this tribute to the eccentric Prince of Venosa immerses the listener in raw emotion. Dean and Tuur draw searingly vocal string playing from a superb ensemble in compelling instrumental reworkings of Moro lasso and O crux benedicta, and the brilliance of the two works that combine orchestra and voices makes for riveting listening. Dean’s Carlo, with devilish chromaticism, strings like sinews stretched on the rack and choral squadrons of winged demons, announces an eternity of pain; and Tuur’s Psalmody, though not directly related to Gesualdo, evokes the distant past with vitality and humour. …