The two-second echo in Nashville’s Parthenon is proving irresistible for local classical musicians.

The Centennial Park Conservancy has been making the most of it in their Echo concert series, which regularly plays for sold-out crowds. Now, local chorus Sonus has used the room to record their second EP, The Parthenon Sessions.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHGoscfbQmY&feature=youtu.be

This video features Song for Athene by John Tavener. Though the piece became well-known after its use in Princess Diana’s funeral in 1997, it was written five years earlier after the tragic death of actress Athene Hariades in a cycling accident. The lyrics, in tribute to Hariades’ heritage and performance of Shakespeare, combine words from the Orthodox funeral service with lines from Hamlet.

Works by Eric Whitacre and Ola Gjeilo complete The Parthenon Sessions – two pieces that likewise benefit from the cavernous space.

Co-artistic director Christopher Anderson said that Sonus jumped at the chance to sing in the Parthenon, “The series and space with its soaring, live acoustics were tailor-made for our sound.”

The Parthenon Sessions is available for digital download.