Cantata of a New Life

Robert Way/John Rydgren

Unintentionally sinister recording composed by Robert Way for the 450th anniversary of the Lutheran Church. I've never heard anything quite like it. His cantata "tells" the story of the church from primordial times up to present times with moody orchestra, wordless female vocals, and a devilish "modern" rock/jazz group. From the liners: "The cantata presumes that man senses a darkness inside himself and his world that he may not associate with a life devoid of a significant relationship with an ultimate being". Darkness being the key word here. This thing will send chills up your spine! Sounds like funeral music from another galaxy with passages led by pure, orchestral outer space exotica and haunting, melancholy female vocals. Rydgren's uncanny narration starts in five minutes into the piece and keeps you on the edge of your seat till its closing. Certainly as powerful as any of his Silhouette Segments readings. Side two features slightly reworked versions of his famed Silhouette hepcat radio spots. This is an incredible record people! My highest recommendation. Click here for inner cover photo's.