Richard Blackford's latest release, "La Sagrada Familia Symphony & Babel, A Cantata," is a profound and captivating exploration of sacred narratives through orchestral and choral music. Set to be released on March 1, 2024, under the Lyrita label, this album spans a rich duration of 1 hour and 4 minutes, offering a deep dive into two monumental works.
The album opens with the "La Sagrada Familia Symphony," a three-movement piece that draws inspiration from the iconic basilica in Barcelona. Composer Richard Blackford masterfully weaves together themes of nativity, passion, and glory, creating a symphonic journey that resonates with both spiritual and artistic depth.
The second half of the album is dedicated to "Babel, A Cantata," a ten-part choral work that retells the biblical stories of the Flood and the Tower of Babel. Blackford's composition is both dramatic and introspective, blending powerful narratives with rich, evocative music. The cantata culminates in a promise of hope and renewal, leaving a lasting impression on the listener.
Richard Blackford's distinctive style and meticulous craftsmanship shine through in this album, making it a standout addition to any classical music collection. Whether you're a longtime fan of Blackford's work or a newcomer to his compositions, this album promises an enriching and immersive listening experience.
2024 Lyrita Recorded Edition2024 Lyrita Recorded Edition
Tracks
La Sagrada Familia Symphony: I. NativityRichard Blackford, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
La Sagrada Familia Symphony: II. PassionRichard Blackford, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
La Sagrada Familia Symphony: III. GloryRichard Blackford, BBC National Orchestra Of Wales
Babel, Pt. 1 "The Flood": No. 1, The Children of Seth Praised GodRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd
Babel, Pt. 1 "The Flood": No. 2, God Gave the Signal and It Began to RainRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd
Babel, Pt. 1 "The Flood": No. 3, The Rain CeasedRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone, Alessandro Fisher
Babel, Pt. 1 "The Flood": No. 4, Do Not Fear the Largeness of the ShowersRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone
Babel, Pt. 2 "Babel": No. 5, The Children of Noah Were ThreeRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Alessandro Fisher
Babel, Pt. 2 "Babel": No. 6, Now Nimrod, the Mighty WarriorRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone, Alessandro Fisher
Babel, Pt. 2 "Babel": No. 7, And He Confounded Their LanguageRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone, Alessandro Fisher
Babel, Epilogue "God's Promise to Noah": No. 8, But Noah Was AfraidRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone, Alessandro Fisher
Babel, Epilogue "God's Promise to Noah": No. 9, While Earth RemainsRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone, Alessandro Fisher
Babel: No. 10, Praise My Soul the King of HeavenRichard Blackford, Ikon Singers & Ensemble, David Hill, Stephen Gadd, Rebecca Bottone, Alessandro Fisher