In collaboration with saxophonist and composer Christian Forshaw, Nigel Short and Tenebrae have produced a nocturnal album that combines the ancient and the modern in a fascinating manner. Celebrated motets such as Gibbons's Drop, drop slow tears or Tallis's O nata lux are given new focus in Forshaw's arrangements, in which fresh harmonies and rhythmic patterns are added as well as incorporating the saxophone into the vocal mix. Even the stalwart hymn Abide with me, by Lyte and Monk, takes on an appealing lease of life in Forshaw's hands. The modern repertoire includes Forshaw's own In paradisum and Owain Park's Night Prayer. Throughout this CD, Tenebrae, Forshaw and Short are alert to every nuance of meaning in the assorted settings, with each item rendered with great beauty of tone. Taken as a whole, the album offers a soothing journey through the stillness of the hours of darkness.

Signum Classics