Jessica Curry’s work is arguably impossible to improve upon, so I decided to take it in a different direction, treating my arrangement of “All the Earth” as something of an in-musical-universe "prequel"; a hypothetical earlier piece of music that "evolved" into the modern settings of the hymn Jessica uses throughout "Rapture".  To that end, and to align with the incredible English-ness of the existing works, I borrowed ideas and influences from two of my favorite composers of the English Renaissance, John Dowland and Thomas Tallis.  The concept of a choral piece for a small vocal ensemble contrasted with an intimate recorder consort began to form in my mind, and, as it developed, elements from more modern English composers like Vaughan Williams and John Rutter began to filter in.  In the end, a wonderful ensemble of singers (with solos by myself and Laura Intravia) brought it to life, whilst recorders (played by Kristin Naigus and Ian Martyn) introduce, compliment, and eventually complete the piece in a manner that alludes to the work’s pseudo-liturgical roots while still being an absolutely lovely listen.

Appears on PATTERN: An Homage to Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture