Cat. no: AV2748
Format: CD
Barcode: 822252274820
Release Date: 11 Apr 2025
Genre: Classical

Award-winning Canadian composer Christopher Tyler Nickel adds to his impressive catalogue of large-scale liturgical works with a double-bill featuring his Mass and Te Deum, composed concurrently and completed in 2022

As with previous works - including Requiem, and the seven- hour long oratorio The Gospel According to Mark - Chris' spirituality infuses his music with melancholy and meditative qualities. Haunting intimacy, a predilection for chant- like melodies and allusions to Medieval music, and plangent orchestral colours, give these two new sacred works a feeling of timelessness.

Listeners will recognise Chris' penchant for unusual combinations of instruments - a quartet from the oboe family in both works, with the lesser heard oboe d'amore and bass oboe alongside oboe and cor anglais; and a pair of Wagner tubas in the Mass.

Chris once again collaborates with soprano Catherine Redding, the Vancouver Chamber Choir and Vancouver Contemporary Orchestra under the baton of Clyde Mitchell - who on previous releases of Chris' music have delivered "emotionally stirring performances" (The WholeNote).

Tracks: Nickel: Mass: I. Kyrie (Andante) / Nickel: Mass: II. Gloria (Brightly) / Nickel: Mass: III. Domine Deus (Andante) / Nickel: Mass: IV. Credo (Adagio) / Nickel: Mass: V. Sanctus (Solemn) / Nickel: Mass: VI. Benedictus (Solemn) / Nickel: Mass: VII. Agnus Dei (Lento) / Nickel: Te Deum: I. Te Deum laudamus (Andante) / Nickel: Te Deum: II. Tu Rex gloriae (Andante) / Nickel: Te Deum: III. Salvum fac populum tuum (Andante con moto) / Nickel: Te Deum: IV. Miserere nostri (Grave)