GARBAREK & THE HILLIARD ENSEMBLE: ‎OFFICIUM NOVUM

If it worked once, why wouldn't it work again? The same formula that made "Officium" a best seller for ECM is used again in "Officium Novum"-Jan Garbarek on soprano and tenor saxophone together with Hilliard Ensemble, only that this time they play vocal pieces from Eastern Europe from medieval sources but also from 20th century Armenian priest, musicologist, and composer Komitas; Nikolai N. Kedrov, a Russian composer of the same era; mid-20th century Greek composer Giorgios Sefaris; Estonian Arvo Pärt. Someone said about "Officium" that either you love it, or you hate it.Well it remains valid for "Officium Novus" too. For me it's worth a *****, although it's place in progarchives is arguable.

3.75 stars.

"Officium Novum" is a collaboration between saxophonist Jan Garbarek and the Hillard ensemble, a 4-man vocal ensemble ranging from baritone to contratenor. It is the sequel to the 1994 album "Officium". Mind you: this has nothing to do with rock - it is an album of a classical vocal group and Garbarek's melodies and improvisations on top.

The album title is slightly misleading, really. "Officium" is Latin and would refer to a Catholic service, yet while much of the music is based on traditional music used in services, none of the tunes are of Latin origin, but rather the much neglected and in my book more interesting Armenian Orthodox musical heritage which was a new experience for me. Nor does the album follow the service structure of a traditional "Mass" in classical music with Sanctus, Agnus Dei, Gloria etc (there is the Armenian Orthodix equivalent of a Sanctus here, though, and a Litany), but is a somewhat haphazard collection of loosely connected tunes with a common spiritual theme.

Musically the listener is in for a highly enjoyable and pleasureable experience here. The music itself is varied, ranging from 3rd century chants to contemporary music (an a capella piece by Arvo P'rt) and a couple of new Garbarek tunes. The uniformity of expression, however, means the tunes do not feel disparate but as a nicely crafted whole. This is music to immerse yourself in. I'd lie back in bed with some good headphones. It is music for those who are open to the spiritual - religious or otherwise (many of the tunes are in Armenian, so you probably won't get the lyrics anyway).

Wonderful though it is, I cannot give it quite the score it could have had. First, the music is drenched in reverb, too much for my taste. It was recorded in some room or other at a remote Austrian monestary, presumably with stone walls and the mic some whay away from the performers. I really would have liked a somewhat dryer sound. As it is, the feeling I get is it's a bit too remote, too aloof, as if they don't really care whether anyone's listening or not. Garbarek's exquisite but icy tone on the soprano sax adds to this, and for me the warmer tenor sax works better, feels more inclusive. I guess it's in keeping with the ancient traditions of the orthodox church, however, whose liturgy has remained virtually unchanged for well over 1000 years, I believe. You feel the ancient spirit of the chant of the monks going about their unchanging daily routine of prayer. I'm reminded of Gregorian chants now and again, although this is not Gregorian, of course, which is Latin, and all the music is polyphonic.

I also find a full hour is a little too much. I couldn't keep focus throughout.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience nonetheless. Lie back in bed and relax, meditate or whatever, and allow yourself to be transported.