In Celebration of the Human Voice - The Essential Musical Instrument

Vocal Music from The Mediterranean

There is a long and unique vocal harmony music tradition in the Mediterranean and there are many talented ensembles that continue to sing in this ancient and fascinating style.

Displaying 1-2 of 2 items.

New London Chamber Choir : Iannis Xenakis - Choral Music

Review: In the oeuvre of many composers the vocal works are often the most personal, as if the primacy of the human voice and speech elicit an unguarded response. Xenakis' earliest works were based on a Bartokian approach to Greek folk music, which he rejected. However, his Greek origins continued to disturb him like subterranean tremors. His great love of ancient theatre, Greek philosophy and his mother tongue had to be married to a new musical language. The works on this CD all stem therefore from highly autobiographical sources. The works fall into three groups: the first intrumentalizes and orchestrates the voice stripped of text as in Nuits and Knephas; the second (Medea) is based on his beloved Classical Greek theatre with a dramatic context and text; and the third is a relatively new group, setting vocal texts where the language is left whole and undisturbed in a music which displays a limpid and strict modality

Songlist: A Colone, Nuits, Serment, Knephas, Medea

Various Artists : Corsica / Sardinia - Mystery of Polyphony

Review: This CD presents the miracle of the unique vocal tradition and compelling choral arrangements of Corsica and Sardinia. On both these islands, a unique choral tradition has developed over the centuries. The repertoire includes religious songs, folk songs, love songs, shepherd's songs, and madrigals from several centuries. The polyphonic singing of Sardinia and Corsica is virtually unknown in the rest of Europe. An article in the leading German daily Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung described this music as an "infinite wonder of tonal beauty and archaic phrasing" and went on to claim that "the musical development often has something of the majestic architectural quality of a liturgical chant." The collection presents Sardinia's five leading choirs, collected during a WDR recording tour, and the launneddas playing of Luigi Lai. The Tenores di Bitti, currently recording in Peter Gabriel's Realworld-Studios, were greatly admired by none other than Frank Zappa. The revival of traditional culture by Canta u Populu Corsu & A Filleta has contributed towards a new Corsican self-awareness. The five singers of Donnisulana, outstanding soloists of Corsican polyphonic music, are the islands' only female choir.

Songlist: Paghjella Four Hymns/Introitus, Four Hymns/Kyrie, Four Hymns/Sanctus, Four Hymns/Tantum Ergo, Diu VI Salvi Regina, Terzetti, Barbara Furtuna, Paghjella di Ponte Novu, Chjama/Paghjella, Eramu in Campu, Punto d'Organo, Boghe 'E Notte, Su Sartiu, Anninnia, Boch 'E Notte, Su Passu Torradu, Spinello