Our third disc of organ music by young British composer James Cook, with two major symphonies and other works. Cook’s music is haunting, ethereal and spiritual – no fireworks; this is music to savour with mind at ease. Almost 160 minutes of music.
Period: Contemporary
-
![[rout]one](https://staging.divineartrecords.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2026/03/cover29001.jpg)
[rout]one
Presenting cutting edge contemporary sonic art [rout] has become one of the UK’s leading contemporary-music ensembles. In this, their début recording, they present three very different pieces written by the group’s core members.
This CD-single (25 minutes) is co-produced with the British Music Information Centre and financially supported by the Arts Council for England.
-
The Everlasting Habitations
All the music on this CD was composed during 2004. As with Cook’s choral music, (see Divine Art CD 25023 and 25027), it is written in an approachable, traditional and tonal style, but with an individual and distinctive voice. With many passages which are slow and quiet, Cook’s music allows the organ to express spirituality and devotional qualities without any of the noise and bombast so often encountered. The louder turbulent sections are used in context to good effect without excess.
-
The Way to Heaven
James Cook writes for voices, mainly a capella, in numbers ranging from four to forty-plus. This disc continues the survey of his music started with Heaven’s Happiness (DDA 25023), written very much in the Anglican choral tradition, and ideal for skilled church and amateur choirs. All first recordings.
Also available: Heaven’s Happiness DDA 25023 – and see the composer index for more vocal, organ and harp music by James Cook.
-
Heaven’s Happiness
James Cook writes for voices, mainly a capella,in numbers ranging from four to forty-plus. This disc comprises settings of Puritan writings, written very much in the Anglican choral tradition, and ideal for church, professional and amateur choirs. All first recordings.
Also available: The Way to Heaven DDA 25027. And see the composer index for vocal, organ and harp music by James Cook.
-
Explorations
Until Anthony’s untimely passing in 2017, Anthony Goldstone and Caroline Clemmow were Britain’s top piano duo, and have an extensive discography, which is exceptionally popular and critically acclaimed. On this CD they play both together and individually, to present for the first time major piano works by British composers.
ALL TRACKS ARE WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS
-
Decoding Skin
On this album we present works by three well-known modern composers, Iannis Xenakis, Michael Finnissy and Morton Feldman, together with pieces by three young British composers whose work deserves more recognition. Philip Howard is a pianist of extraordinary talent, who copes with the fierce demands of these works with aplomb. Music by Paul Newland and Paul Whitty can also be found on other metier albums (use the browse catalog menu).
ALL WORLD PREMIÈRE RECORDINGS (except “Evryali” and “Palais de Mari”)
-
Stevenson Passacaglia
This is a very important release for lovers of 20th century music, featuring one of the most fascinating and important piano works of the 20th century. Passacaglia is, first, one of the longest continuous solo keyboard pieces ever written. It has collected almost a cult following. It is also a piece of wide variety, collecting in influences from the music of many places, but based strongly and closely throughout on the initials DSCH (for Dmitri Schostakovich). We were pleased to dedicate this disc to the composer in celebration of his 75th birthday.
Pianist Murray McLachlan is one of Britain’s leading exponents of modern music. He has recorded 2 previous CDs for Divine Art and also for Dunelm and Olympia.
See his 3-CD set of Stevenson’s music (given the IRR ‘outstanding’ award’) on DDA 21372.
-
De Profundis
Father Pierucci’s first cantata to words by Regina Derieva, “Via Crucis” was described as “a major find” and ” a remarkable work” by critics. Pierucci writes in a tonal and very listenable style but with a distinctive voice of his own, and this new work, using a chamber ensemble rather than organ, takes as its basis a short, haunting motif, used in variation form in all the movements. This work, like “Via Crucis” is highly recommended to choirs and choral societies.
PIERUCCI: DE PROFUNDIS
Gintaré Skeryté (mezzo-soprano)
Aidija Chamber Choir
Vilnius String Quartet:
Audroné VainiÂÅ«naité (violin 1); ArtÅ«ras Silale (violin 2)
Girdutis Jakaitis (viola); Augustinas Vasiliauskas (cello);
with Giedrius Gelgotas (flute); Gintautas Jocius (double bass)
Directed by Romualdas Gražinis -
Woodworks
For those who think the recorder is just a boring instrument for young schoolchildren, here is the proof of the opposite!
This CD contains classic works by Handel, Vivaldi and Couperin but also new and exciting works by contemporary composers. Accompanied by a fine chamber ensemble, Australian performer Tamara Gries shows, in the words of Prof. David Tunley (University of Western Australia) that “the recorder is truly a fine and expressive instrument that finds a deserved niche in music of our own century as well as in that from earlier times”.
-
Blue Wrens
Modern Piano Music from Australia.
This disc contains world première recordings of works by some of Australia’s top contemporary composers. Trevor Barnard is an English pianist who moved to Australia many years ago and taught at The University of Melbourne as well as performing and writing articles and books on piano technique. He originally rose to overnight fame with his recording for EMI of the Bliss Piano Concerto with Sir Malcolm Sargent, now available on DDV 24106.
All music on this disc is published by Keys Press, 66 Clotilde Street, Mount Lawley, WA6050, Australia.
-
Celestial Harmonies – piano music by Camilleri
McLachlan is one of the established Camilleri specialists; performer and composer worked together on this CD of music (first recordings in each case) some of which was especially written for this recording. Camilleri’s music here is very special – atmospheric, mystical but also full of life and vigour.
Camilleri of a different kind: light, fun and brilliant orchestral works on DDV 24126 and for two pianos on DDV 24167.