'a tour de force and absolutely stunning' - 9.08.06

[CD Review: Path of Miracles SIGCD078 CD/SACD 62’26”] Choir & Organ Magazine August 2006 – Shirley Ratcliffe – 5*

After the eerie opening effect – a glissandi, Taiwanese style, bursting into the pilgrims hymn from Dum Pater Familias – you know you are about to embark on a remarkable journey. Path of Miracles in four movements – Roncesvalles, Burgos, Leon and Santiago – follows the ancient pilgrim route along the ‘camino frances’ in sound.

The music weaves together diverse themes and styles encompassing sparse, clear writing with subtle uses of harmony portraying the text. Talbot builds to climaxes subtly and withdraws from them with ingenuity, the work moving seamlessly along its way. Rhythmic passages are put against sustained vocal lines adding to the overall effect.

This a cappella work is very demanding of its singers and Tenebrae answer every question asked of them. It is a tour de force and absolutely stunning.