It is so good to be back dissecting this repertoire - exploring the various harmonic twists and turns of new music. I remember back in the old days it was rare to find a living composer on the program. Now it is rare to find music of a composer who is not living, and if you want, who you can contact with questions and comments about their work. What a connection to the music - a conduit from the composer straight to the audience. What a responsibility we have as performers!
As I mentioned in the very first rehearsal and again last Tuesday, with this music, you as individuals have a greater responsibility to have a more comprehensive knowledge of the score. With upwards of sixteen vocal parts in some of these scores, and at times one to a part, you are going to have to really be aware of your function in the chords. When one sections sings a C major chord against a g minor chord (Whitacre m. 25) the inner voices really have to be able to dissect their chord functions and sing with a dynamic sensitive to the over balance of the entire texture. I know this is old news to most of you but it needs repeating. Please make this your priority this week and have prepared:
i thank you God - Whitacre
The Spheres - Gjeilo
The In-Between - Allan (basses please know your "beat box" sections!)
The Canticle of the Sun - Oswin
Voices of Earth - Sirett (new this week)
Across the Fields - Barnum
Sure On This Shining Night - Lauridsen
Have a great weekend and see you all Tuesday. Stay healthy!
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