The album's concept of new growth, inspired by the Book of Job's description of a tree, reflects rebuilding after pandemic and political upheaval.
Composition History
Jonathan Harvey's work "The Tree" was commissioned by the Church Music Society for its 75th anniversary and completed just ten days after the premiere of his church opera "Passion and Resurrection."
Composer Biography
Hildegard of Bingen was an extraordinary self-taught polymath, described as the founder of scientific natural history in Germany, who wrote nine books on the medicinal properties of animals, plants, and stones.
Compositional Technique
In James Long's "sicut aquilae," the composer used musical ciphers to spell out words like 'College' and 'Eagles' in the trumpet part, though listeners are not expected to detect them.
Composer Biography
Herbert Howells served as Acting Organist at St John's during the Second World War and maintained a connection with the college for the rest of his life.
Recording & Production
All but one track on the album are taken from live services in Chapel, including an Evensong with Yale Schola Cantorum and a service celebrating the 150th anniversary of the College Chapel.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Hildegard of Bingen, a visionary German Abbess and prolific composer of the Middle Ages, believed music and philosophy went hand-in-hand with her liturgical poetry to express her faith.
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