Cleveland Classical described one work by composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi as having "chords hailing from somewhere between Helsinki, Hollywood, and Heaven itself." It may not be quite that eclectic, but the selections on this release are highly varied, taking inspiration from their well-worn sacred texts. As such, they often bring attractive new perspectives on those texts. Mäntyjärvi ranges from highly extended tonality to open intervals that perhaps show the influence of Pärt and the other Baltic minimalists. He favors ...
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Cleveland Classical described one work by composer Jaakko Mäntyjärvi as having "chords hailing from somewhere between Helsinki, Hollywood, and Heaven itself." It may not be quite that eclectic, but the selections on this release are highly varied, taking inspiration from their well-worn sacred texts. As such, they often bring attractive new perspectives on those texts. Mäntyjärvi ranges from highly extended tonality to open intervals that perhaps show the influence of Pärt and the other Baltic minimalists. He favors stretches of music that begin with simple sonorities but bloom into close harmonies that challenge a group of choral singers. Listen to the three Stuttgarter Psalmen for a taste. Also notable is the English-language Trinity Service of 2019, written for the present choir and conductor, the Choir of Trinity College, Cambridge, and Stephen Layton; it has a neo-medieval style that's accessible but entirely original in conception. Perhaps Mäntyjärvi is neglected in the anglophone sphere...
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