Refuge from the Flames

‘…at the centre of the programme are two versions of Infelix Ego, with a new, sliding and sighing setting by Ēriks Ešenvalds seeming almost to grow out of the 16th-century one by Byrd. Everything here is heard to best advantage, thanks to the choir’s clean, supple singing under Suzi Digby’s direction.’ (Erica Jeal)

‘Commissioned by ORA, Ēriks Ešenvalds’s setting of Savonarola’s Infelix Ego has its own radiant individuality, a very intriguing contrast to Byrd’s sublime setting: from the sustained opening leading to the impassioned homophonic section, it intensifies the text.’ (Shirley Ratcliffe)

‘Byrd’s heaven-sent Infelix Ego sits alongside a dense, soaring new version by Ēriks Ešenvalds.’ (Richard Fairman)