Bolcom, William: Songs of Innocence and of Experience.

Bolcom, William: Songs of Innocence and of Experience. The University of Michigan School of Music Symphony Orchestra, with soloists and choir of the University Musical Society, conducted by Leonard Slatkin. Recorded live in 2004, at Hill Auditorium, Ann Arbor. Engineer: Roger Amett. 137+ minutes (three-disc set). Naxos 8.559216-18.

Making use of William Blake's poetry for the vocal parts, this is quite a piece of music, particularly to the ears of a classical and baroque enthusiast like yours truly. Thoroughly modern in approach, it spans a musical range that bounces back and forth between traditional styles, modern dissonance, and folk, rock, and even reggae, to, as a note on the back of the CD box states, "encompass the breadth of the Blakean spiritual universe."

Yep, it is a real cornucopia of music that will mainly appeal to a rather small group of listeners, I should think. You will not walk off whistling the tunes after you listen to this material.

The recording is huge sounding, with a large ensemble that sensationally blends the soloists, choir, and instrumental ensemble. The soundstaging is very realistic, and with DSP ambiance synthesis applied the result was right up there with the best. Just remember that this is not Bach, Beethoven, or Brahms.