Reviews of the CD

The greatest literary classics all appear to have the ability to create a mental picture of their central theme merely by the mention of their title. For me the name Wuthering Heights conjures up a vision of the meeting or the frail love torn heroine and her handsome gipsy lover set against a backdrop of windswept Yorkshire moors.

It is therefore all the more surprising that a story that contains so many elements of the great theatre musicals has never been the subject for such a work. All that has now changed with the launch of a concept album prior to a proposed West End opening.

The press material for the album describes it as possessing romance, passion and beauty. For once a press release has if anything undersold a product, as adjectives such as "moody" and "magnificent" could equally be applied without in any way risking the wrath of the Office of Fair Trading,. This is a work of great power and beauty, full of glorious melodies.

It is indeed surprising to find that the work is the sole achievement of Bernard J. Taylor, making his debut as a writer of show music. To my mind this is what the music of the stage should sound like - full of drama, full of grace. The complete seventeen-track album is an unmitigated joy from start to finale.

If you are romantic, or if you love passionate and moving stage music, or even if like Dame Edna you are just old fashioned, do not miss out on this album.