BO HOLTEN
The Marriage of Heaven and Hell
BBC Singers

Bo Holten, conductor, composer

About
For Bo Holten, the roles of composer and conductor are closely related. We meet him in both roles on this CD, where Holten is beautifully represented by his works for a cappella choir and also demonstrates his background as one of today’s leading choral conductors.

Bo Holten’s choral songs with English texts by William Blake show how excitingly a composer of today can write on the firm ground of tradition. Holten is thoroughly extrovert and never loses himself in complexity. His music has its very own sound and is something as rare as euphonious and balanced - yet still a little offbeat.

As the BBC Singers' First Guest Conductor since 1991, Bo Holten has played an important role in the group’s history. Holten has conducted several Proms with the BBC Singers in Royal Albert Hall, and this CD displays the fine perceptiveness that is the result of over 12 years' successful collaboration.
Reviews
A splendid, magnificently sung disc.
(Gramophone, UK)

You'll be missing something really special if you love choral music and you don't find a way to hear this exceptional disc.
10/8 (Artistic quality/Sound quality)
(Classics Today, USA)

As might be expected, the BBC Singers are on fine form for their guest conductor, the composer himself. The recording is warm and spacious, and I can do nothing but give this CD of wonderful music the most enthusiastic recommendation.
(The Classical Source, UK)

BBC Music Magazine 'Pick of the Month' May edition 2004

Bo Holten is an accomplished composer with enviable technical expertise ... His music has its very own sound and is something as rare as euphonious and balanced.
(Musical Pointers, UK)

As the work of a composer with experience far beyond the ordinary, the music is extremely intelligent with an assured styilstic background.

(Kristeligt Dagblad, Denmark)

This is truly vocal art of an excellent standard. Bo Holten has succeded in creating timeless art, moving in its simplicity of expression. (Pladeforum, Danish Radio - DR)


An amazingly performed choral disc.
(Jyllands-Posten)

Credits
Recorded at Temple Church, London 7 and 8 February, 2002
Sound Engineer: Paul Waton
Digital Editing: Philip Burwell and Philip Ashley
Producer: Michael Emery

This CD has been recorded in cooperation with BBC Radio 3