“About five years after their self-chosen end as an ensemble, the last recordings of the legendary Hilliard Ensemble are now being presented. The current one, entitled The Dream of the Rood, refers to the half-hour composition by John Casken, which he created eleven years ago… After about 40 years of close collaboration with the Hilliard Ensemble John Casken’s The Dream of the Rood was his last composition for the ensemble. It uses the poem of the same title, presumably from the eighth century. The recording took place shortly before the ensemble left the stage and thus has at least a historical character. The formation was valued for its ground-breaking interpretations of the very early repertoire up to the 16th century, as well as those of modernism. In this recording one can already notice slight signs of fatigue, and the singers can no longer completely maintain their usual quality of performance. The Asko / Schönberg Ensemble performs with the necessary sensitivity and quality.”  ****

“… The Hilliards, who have recorded Casken before, sing with limpid clarity and moments of earthy force. There is an additional setting by Pérotin (Viderunt omnes, arranged by Casken) and three early strophic settings in three and four voice parts. Mysterious but tightly controlled; the perfect prelude to Casken’s vocal masterpiece.” ****