Halcyon and Vox: Dreams and Dances.
When Vox, Sydney’s sassiest and smartest group of young choristers meets Halcyon, acclaimed champions of new music for voice, the result is a musical feast of recently composed works from around the world, including some beautiful gems by our own Australian composers. From the dreamy, surreal sounds of Saariaho’s Nuit, Adieux to the dancing rhythms of Ross Edwards Mantras and Alleluyas, this adventurous program features Vox at their most fearless, with Halcyon’s quartet of soloists, percussionist Claire Edwardes and Vox’s musical director Elizabeth Scott.
Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho (b1952) has been influenced by electronic music. She originally wrote Nuit, Adieux in 1991 for vocal quartet and electronics. Five years later, the Joyful Company of Singers, asked her for an a capella transcripton and she wrote a new version in which the mixed choir imitates the original electronic music.
Ross Edwards’ Mantras and Alleluyas (2007) is a multi- faith work for 4 part choir and percussion, in 3 movements: 1. Alleluya, Shalom — 2. Avalokiteshvara, Anur, Ahimsa — 3. Sancti Spiritus adsit nobis gratia.
Also in the programme, music by Arvo Part, Katy Abbott, Dan Walker, Elliott Gyger, Per Norgard, Kerry Andrew and Jorge Vidales.
Elizabeth Scott, Artisitic Director and conductor will conduct Vox and the Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, with Halcyon soprano Alison Morgan and mezzo-soprano Jenny Duck-Chong mezzo soprano, who will be joined for Dreams and Dances by guest artists Andrei Laptev, tenor, Clive Birch, bass and Claire Edwardes percussion.
The concert is at the Verbrugghen Hall, Sydney Conservatorium of Music. However tickets bookings are via the City Recital Hall at:
www.cityrecitalhall.com or (02) 8256 2222 or at the Box Office, 2, Angel Place Sydney.
