Around the Curve of the World by British composer Francis Grier (libretto by Sue Mayo), a cantata about the founding of Christchurch and Cambridge in New Zealand in 1850, calls for choir, chamber orchestra, two sopranos, tenor, and baritone. The music is thoroughly Romantic in character; the story, as we might expect, embraces both tragedy and triumph, and it ought to offer (at least) an attractive way to kill to some time. The quality of this production, however, is quite inept. While the choral parts are nicely done–an expected performing standard for a cathedral choir–the soloists fairly blast their lines at the audience (the recording is made from a live concert). Of the two sopranos, Patricia Rozario’s voice comes across as far too aggressive, even unpleasant (especially in the Canticles, Narrative 1 and Narrative 3). Baritone Paul Whelan also shouts in many sections, and only tenor Daniel Norman comports himself well. Part of the problem no doubt stems from the microphone placement. It’s way too close to the soloists and too distant from the choir. As such, Canticle 4, the closing piece, becomes a mishmash of conflicting perspectives and poor balances. Unless the subject matter or this composer fascinate you, I’d avoid this one.
