John Surman - Proverbs And Songs

John Surman has produced a magnificent piece of 20th century choral writing, confirming that he should no longer be regarded simply as one of Britain's leading improvisors and instrumentalists, but also as a composer of imagination, vision and power - so raved The Times of the premiere of Surman's Proverbs And Songs, the event documented on this disc. Enhanced by powerful saxophone and bass clarinet soloing from Surman and from John Taylor at the massive Salisbury Cathedral organ, this oratorium based on Old Testament texts will be perceived as bold shift of direction in Surman's discography. Yet it also throws light on an undocumented aspect of his biography, for Surman was himself a chorister before jazz fired his imagination... Recorded 1996, live at Salisbury Cathedral Personnel: John Surman (baritone and soprano saxophones, bass clarinet), John Taylor (organ), Salisbury Festival Chorus, Howard Moody (conductor)