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The timeless power of contemporary choral music

Tom Service immerses himself in the resonant sound world of 21st-century choral music and discovers how this music evokes both immediacy and transcendence.

The vocal music of contemporary composers like Morton Lauridsen and Eric Whitacre, Ola Gjeilo and Caroline Shaw, is hugely popular with choirs, congregations and audiences. How do they achieve their brand of mystery and magic? Tom Service immerses himself in the resonant sound world of 21st-century choral music and discovers how it works. With guest, Kerry Andrew, who makes music for communities as well as choirs.

Available now

29 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Oct 2021 16:30

Music Played

  • Ola Gjeilo

    Northern lights (Pulchra es, amica mea) for chorus

    Performer: Charles Bruffy. Performer: Phoenix Chorale.
    • CHANDOS.
    • CHAN 5100.
  • Kerry Andrew

    No place like for chorus

    Conductor: Rafael Payare. Performer: ΒιΆΉΤΌΕΔ Singers. Performer: Ten Pieces Children's Choir.
  • Armonico Consort

    O virtus Sapientie - antiphon

    • Signum.
    • SIGCD-235.
  • James MacMillan

    O Radiant Dawn for chorus [Strathclyde motets]

    Performer: Apollo5.
    • VCM RECORDS.
    • VCM123.
  • Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina

    Salve regina for 4,8,12 voices [H.xxvi.211]

    Conductor: Harry Christophers. Performer: The Sixteen.
    • CORO.
    • COR-16091.
  • Morten Lauridsen

    Ave Maria for chorus

    Conductor: Stephen Layton. Performer: Polyphony.
    • HYPERION.
    • CDA 67449.
  • Anton Bruckner

    Virga Jesse floruit - gradual for chorus

    Conductor: Nigel Short. Performer: Tenebrae.
    • SIGNUM.
    • SIGCD 430.
  • Eric Whitacre

    Lux aurumque for chorus

    Conductor: Stephen Layton. Performer: Polyphony.
    • Hyperion.
    • CDA 67543.
  • Anton Bruckner

    Locus iste - gradual for chorus

    Conductor: Harry Christophers. Performer: The Sixteen.
    • DECCA.
    • 476 4592.
  • Michael Harrison

    Michael Harrison: Just Constellations II. The Romantic Constellation: Autumn

    Performer: Roomful of Teeth.
    • NEW AMSTERDAM.
    • NWAM134.
  • Morten Lauridsen

    O Magnum Mysterium for chorus

    Performer: Suzi Digby. Performer: ORA Singers.
    • HARMONIA MUNDI.
    • 905305DI.
  • Arnold Schoenberg

    Trio Op.45 for strings

    Performer: Clemens Hagen. Performer: Gidon Kremer. Performer: Veronika Hagen.
    • DEUTSCHE GRAMMOPHON.
    • 447 112-2.
  • Meredith Monk

    The Games - a science-fiction opera for voices and ensemble

    Performer: Andrea Goodman. Performer: Ching Gonzalez. Performer: Meredith Monk. Performer: Naaz Hosseini. Performer: Nurit Tilles. Performer: Robert Een. Performer: Wayne Hankin.
    • ECM NEW SERIES.
    • 8317822.
  • Caroline Shaw

    Partita for 8 voices

    Performer: Roomful of Teeth.
    • New Amsterdam.
    • NWAM050.
  • Cecilia McDowall

    I know that my redeemer liveth - anthem for chorus

    Performer: Owen Rees. Performer: Queen's College Oxford Choir.
    • SIGNUM.
    • SIGCD 475.
  • Eric Whitacre

    Sing Gently

    Performer: Virtual Choir 6. Performer: Sam Glicklich. Performer: Eric Whitacre.
    • UNQUIET.
    • SINGASONE.

Broadcasts

  • Sun 17 Oct 2021 17:00
  • Fri 22 Oct 2021 16:30

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