Lydia Kakabadse’s name doesn’t even sound English and in fact she has Georgian-Greek roots and grew up in the tradition of the Orthodox liturgy, which Kakabadse deliberately engages in her music. She does this in a refined and careful way, always with an ear to the sounds of today. Despite their generally serious and solemn character there is also something invigorating and vivid throughout the music – for example in the ‘Concert Requiem Mass’ where neither sadness nor melancholy take the upper hand. Perhaps there is eventually a lack of fresh ideas in the second half of playing time, so the ear becomes less excited. The Alumni of the Choir of Clare College are on top form and their performance could hardly be bettered.
Remy Franck (August 2016)