You are about to hear some of the most demanding music which a choral group can sing. Henryk Mikolaj Gsrecki's "Totus tuus" (trans. "Yours Completely) was composed for eight voice choir in honor of the third visit of Pope John Paul II to his native Poland. It was adapted for the six voices of the King's Singers who were awarded a CARA (Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award) in 1997 for Best Classical Song. It is...the best, we mean. But how about the second song of the recording? Velijo Tormis' composition, "Piispa ja pakana" (The Bishop and the Pagan), was drawn from both musical documents and folklore. It tells the story of the death of a British missionary/warrior at the hands of a Finnish peasant farmer. The viewpoints of both sides have descended since that event in 1158. "The Sequence of St. Henry" is a Latin Gregorian Chant which documents the British side and numerous folk songs represent the view of the Finnish farmer. Both have provided elements in the creation of this piece. Drat, we haven't time to describe the other ten pieces, but suffice it to say it is probably the most demanding music you will ever hear. |
