Libera - Luminosa

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Music reviews of Luminosa

Music Review: Revolting Aesthetic Castrations
Rating: 2 Stars

The purity of a child's voice is a marvellous thing, and the boys of Libera sing beautifully for the most part. So musical have children's voices been considered that that in an attempt to preserve that purity one of the most horrific practices in Western society was initiated, the castration of young boys. These boys became castrati, singers whose unusually pure voices were greatly prized until the middle of the 19th century. Today, although we still enjoy the sound of children's choirs, we recognize the practice of mutilation as a monstrous atrocity. Fortunately, no person was castrated for the making of this CD, but great art certainly was. My objection is to forcing works which epitomise a great composer's artistic vision into another and totally foreign aesthetic. Arguably the most revolting treatment here is that of the Allegretto from Beethoven's 7th Symphony. Like many of the arrangements it starts well enough, with the boys singing a capella, without accompaniment. But before the first minute is over, Beethoven is subjected to the white-wash of crossover, with drum machine, pop organ and bass added. The orchestration and counterpoint is simplified, and most of the dynamics removed completely. What in its original form is one of the most striking compositions of all time is completely emasculated. Compare the original to Prizeman's mutilation and you will see how truly horrifying the "updated" version is.

Perhaps I am being unnecessarily harsh. Surely most who know and love the original music Prizeman has arranged will find this at least disagreeable, but the original works by Prizeman, of which there are five, are less objectionable--his Silencium is actually quite beautiful. But I notice that Prizeman NEVER uses the drum machine in any of his own pieces in this CD--why then force it on Beethoven and Pachelbel?

I must admit that there is an audience for these adaptations. Crossover fans, raised on light pop, who prefer their music calming and meditative and who abhor dissonance or drama, will likely enjoy this. Every aspect of the CD is designed with just those bland, low-relief tastes in mind--the boy's singing is so heavily processed that the words are indistinguishable, and even though particular authors are cited in the notes, no texts are given. Several times the boys sing in Latin and English simultaneously, further obscuring the words. Even much of the printing on the CD is so small and in such a similar hue to the background that reading about the text is discouraged. On his webiste, Robert Prizeman has said of this work, 'Sadly, choirs do not easily cross musical barriers. I just hoped we could create a music that would creep up on listeners, and they would appreciate it without prejudice'. Frankly, I don't want his music creeping up on me.

Description of Luminosa

Classical CDs

• Music > Styles
• New Age