Album

Naxos' 2010 compilation Classical Meditation is a double-disc of mostly modern works, slow in tempo and somber in mood, selected to create a calm background for contemplation and arranged in five sections with atmospheric headings. The first part of disc 1, "Pools of Sacred Calm," is devoted to choral music by composers Arvo Pärt, John Tavener, and Samuel Barber, who were all active in the last half of the 20th century. The last half of this CD changes period, going back to the Renaissance choral music of Thomas Tallis for a section called "Pure Stillness." The second disc presents inspirational instrumental and orchestral music, and its program is divided in three sections, "Soaring Spirit," "On the Wing," and "Soulscapes," featuring works by Frederick Delius, Ralph Vaughan Williams, Arthur Bliss, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Peter Sculthorpe, Alla Pavlova, and Edward Elgar. Considering how shallowly the suggested themes are explored, one might dispense with them altogether and make any other rationalization for the program they choose. It still takes nothing away from the value of the music or the quality of the performances, which are by some of the most impressive artists on Naxos, such as the St. John's College Choir, Cambridge; the Ormond College Choir; the Oxford Camerata; the Royal Scottish National Orchestra; the English Northern Philharmonia; and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, to name a few. While the organization of this album may seem arbitrary, it is at least successful in providing music that soothes the emotions and elevates the spirit, whether or not one goes along with the proposed moods.

© Blair Sanderson, Rovi

CD 1 of 2
Arvo Pärt Composer De profundis, for male chorus, percussion, and organ Work Jurgen Petrenko Organ, Noel Edison Conductor, Elora Festival Singers Chorus/Choir, Elora Festival Orchestra Orchestra
1	De profundis, for male chorus, percussion, and organ	5:56			$0.99
Sir John Tavener Composer The Lamb, for chorus Work Christopher Robinson Conductor, St. John's College Choir, Cambridge Chorus/Choir
2	The Lamb, for chorus	3:47			$0.99
Samuel Barber Composer Heaven-Haven, for double chorus (arr. of song Op.13, No.1) Work Douglas Lawrence Conductor, Choir of Ormond College Chorus/Choir
3	Heaven-Haven, for double chorus (arr. of song Op.13, No.1)	1:43			$0.99
Sir John Tavener Composer The Lord's Prayer, for chorus (1999) Work Christopher Robinson Conductor, St. John's College Choir, Cambridge Chorus/Choir
4	The Lord's Prayer, for chorus (1999)	3:30			$0.99
Samuel Barber Composer String Quartet in B, Op.11 (includes basis for 'Adagio for Strings') Work Douglas Lawrence Conductor, Choir of Ormond College Chorus/Choir
5	String Quartet in B, Op.11 (includes basis for 'Adagio for Strings')	5:55			$0.99
Sir John Tavener Composer Song for Athene, for chorus Work Christopher Robinson Conductor, St. John's College Choir, Cambridge Chorus/Choir
6	Song for Athene, for chorus	5:43			$0.99
Arvo Pärt Composer Berliner Messe, for chorus and organ Work Noel Edison Conductor, Elora Festival Singers Chorus/Choir, Elora Festival Orchestra Orchestra
7	5.Veni Sancte Spiritus	5:06			$0.99
Thomas Tallis Composer Mass ('Salve intemerata' P.3, a5) Work 13:12 Oxford Camerata Chamber Ensemble, Jeremy Summerly Conductor
8	4.Agnus Dei	5:25			$0.99
9	3.Sanctus	7:47			$1.49
Thomas Tallis Composer Salve intemerata virgo (a5) Work Oxford Camerata Chamber Ensemble, Jeremy Summerly Conductor
10	Salve intemerata virgo (a5)	23:14			$3.99
CD 2 of 2
Frederick Delius Composer 2 Pieces for Small Orchestra, RTvi/19 Work Royal Scottish National Orchestra Orchestra, David Lloyd-Jones Conductor
1	1.On Hearing the First Cuckoo in Spring	5:53			$0.99
Ralph Vaughan Williams Composer The Lark Ascending: Romance for Violin and Orchestra Work David Green Violin, English Northern Philharmonia Orchestra, David Lloyd-Jones Conductor
2	The Lark Ascending: Romance for Violin and Orchestra	15:03			$2.49
Sir Arthur Drummond Bliss Composer Conversations, for woodwinds and strings, Op.15, F.16 Work Michael Cox Flute, The Maggini Quartet String Quartet, Nicholas Daniel Oboe
3	2.In the Wood: Adagio	3:24			$0.99
Einojuhani Rautavaara Composer Cantus Arcticus for orchestra and taped bird songs, Op.61 Work 18:55 Hannu Lintu Conductor, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Orchestra
4	1.Suo (The Bog)	7:05			$1.49
5	2.Melankolia (Melancholy)	4:19			$0.99
6	3.Joutsenet Muuttavat (Swans Migrating)	7:31			$1.49
Peter Sculthorpe Composer Earth Cry Work William Barton Didjeridu, New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, James Judd Conductor
7	Earth Cry	13:55			$2.49
Alla Pavlova Composer Symphony No.2: For the New Millennium Work Vladimir Fedoseyev Conductor, Tchaikovsky Symphony Orchestra (Moscow Radio) Orchestra
8	3rd Movement	8:13			$1.49
Sir Edward Elgar Composer Sospiri, for strings, harp, and organ, Op.70 Work English Northern Philharmonia Orchestra, David Lloyd-Jones Conductor
9	Sospiri, for strings, harp, and organ, Op.70	4:28			$0.99