Live Recording of the oratorio ‘Becket – The Kiss of Peace’ in Canterbury Cathedral on the occasion of it’s premiere for the Canterbury Festival in November 2000.
Featuring
Archbishop Thomas Becket – Tenor Phillip Slane
King Henry 11 – Bass David Wilson-Johnson
Herbert of Bosham – Counter tenor James Bowman
Matilda (one of the people) – soprano Constance Novis
Chorister (one of the children) – Boy soprano Harvey Brink
Mary (one of the people) – Soprano Gillian Keith
Organist – Sir David Willcocks with the English Chamber Singers & English Festival
Orchestra conducted by Dr Martin Neary
Track List
| THE PLOT | ||
| 1. | Introduction | |
| 2. | Canterbury Holy See… | |
| 3. | The People’s Lament | |
| 4. | So Proud You Are! | |
| 5. | Canterbury Holy See [reprise] | |
| EXILE – THE RESOLUTION | ||
| 6. | Peace, at Last! | |
| 7. | The Kiss Of Peace | |
| 8. | For Thou Art With Him… | |
| 9. | Transient Soul… | |
| CHRISTMAS DAY 1170 – CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL | ||
| 10. | Welcome! | |
| 11. | The Lord’s Prayer | |
| 12. | In The Name Of The Church | |
| 13. | Holy Day | |
| THE PLOT TO MURDER | ||
| 14. | But Who Will Make Silent? | |
| THE SERMON | ||
| 15. | Peace, Peace, What Does It Mean? | |
| THE ARCHBISHOP’S WARNING | ||
| 16. | All Of Us Must Die | |
| 17. | Come Down Traitor! | |
| 18. | Now To Almighty God… | |
| MURDER | ||
| 19. | The Murder | |
| THE OUTCOME | ||
| 20. | Clarendon Sleeps | |
| 21. | Clarendon Stained | |
| THE KING’S PENANCE | ||
| 22. | Scourge! | |
| 23. | Thomas, I Grant You… | |
| 24. | The Kiss Of Peace/Amen | |
Reviews for Becket
“In the ‘Kiss of Peace’ the gifted Australian composer, David Reeves, has produced a score which judging by the response of the singers and instrumentalists who recorded it in London, England, will give great pleasure to choral societies and audiences around the world”
– Sir David Willcocks – former Director of Music King’s College,
Cambridge and former Conductor of the London Bach Choir.
“A very clever score”
– Dr Martin Neary – Organist and Master of the Choristers,
Westminster Abbey, London.
“The work features themes up there with Elgar, Vaughan Williams and Parry”
– James Bowman – International Counter-tenor
“The new recording of the David Reeves – Becket oratorio is truly a masterpiece”
– Brendan Walsh – 2MBS FM – Radio Australia
