Certain texts carry such weight and universal meaning that they become ubiquitous, persisting through centuries and zeitgeists. When such texts meet the fleeting and ephemeral force of musical revelation, beauty is born. Composer Jan Järvlepp wrested the power of inspiration to compose the works on In Flanders Fields, an album of choral pieces sparked by three legendary texts...

In Flanders Fields is more an EP than an album in its own right. Across these three tracks (11 min, 53 sec) composer Jan Järvlepp interprets, chorally, three very distinct traditional texts, breathing new life into them.

The title track, 'In Flanders Field' gives music to John McCrae’s treasured poem about the First World War’s fallen soldiers. 'Earth Song' is inspired by the 1854 speech delivered by Chief Seattle pleading for cultural and environmental unity. 'The Lord’s Prayer' draws beauty out of what is perhaps the most well known prayer in all of Christianity.

It's a beautifully constructed and performed collection, I just wish that there had been more works in a similar vein. And, whilst I did enjoy the interpretation of 'The Lord's Prayer', it has been adapted so many times now that it's almost a cliche having it included here.

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Darren Rea