Cities And Memory

"I very carefully listened to scores of recordings before settling on this one and it captured my imagination instantly. It’s incredibly rich and mysterious. What was documented in this field recording transports us, I think, to a place both ancient and instantly present. We hear footfalls climbing rickety stairs. In the distance bells toll. And in the foreground a sonorous voice intones a repeated phrase, mysteriously. It was my clear favourite and I hope we’ve done it justice.    "The recording is from Spain and although Sylvia has visited the country, I have not yet been there myself. We have friends who live in the ancient city of Tarifa and they have often spoken of the magic of this place - particularly the spectacular religious processions and other traditional sacred rituals. The field recording seems to conjure this for us, quite movingly so. I hope my composition and our recording underscores and enhances that sense of mystery, of faith, of ritual.   "There is very little enhancement to this parti