University of York Music Press

In her review of the premiere, Hilary Finch writes in the Times that Five Motets are: "Inspired by the Judaeo-Christian tradition of spiritual journeying, the Five Motets, with words from the Latin Bible and Saxton's own verse, form an arc; and each is a complex and cunning piece of craftsmanship. The programme notes explained how. But the wonder of this music lies in its ability, even without intellectual understanding, to make us feel, through ear, nerve and emotion, the exile and the memory, the dance and visionary distances of mankind's eternal voyaging. The Clerks' Group rose to the considerable challenge of each motet: I long to hear them again."

Finch will soon have the chance to hear the work as often as she pleases with The Clerks' Group, directed by Edward Wickham, soon to record the piece for release on the Signum label. Several other of Saxton's pieces are also due for release later this year. A long-awaited recording by the Kreutzer Quartet of Songs, Dances and Ellipses will come out on the Divine Art label. Already available on this label are Saxton's Piano Sonata and Chacony for piano left hand. NMC has had much success with two solo CDs of music by Saxton, Music to Celebrate the Resurrection and A Yardstick to the stars, to which will be added a disc with his new composition The Beach in Winter: Scratby [for Tessa]. Especially commissioned by NMC for their 20th anniversary, this song for baritone voice and piano sets Saxton's own poetry.