Read the text for BECKET – THE KISS OF PEACE
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
Musical Director – David Reeves
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
