Rainbow across the night sky
Kate Molleson introduces a sequence of contemplative new music for late-night listening.
Kate Molleson introduces a concert of transcendental, ecstatic and meditative new music for Christmas Eve, sung by the vocal ensemble Exaudi, conducted by James Weeks and recorded at King's Place in London earlier this month.
Interwoven throughout the performance are medieval hymns by the 12th century mystic Hildegard of Bingen in new arrangements by James Weeks. Arvo Pärt’s Missa Syllabica is one of the purest expressions of his tintinnabulation technique, while Cage’s Ear for EAR has an almost Gregorian purity. Alvin Lucier’s Unamuno explores the acoustics of a single chord while Catherine Lamb’s song/form spins a slow melody from the natural resonance of the harmonic series.
The programme is completed by a world premiere from young French composer Brendan Champeaux, and a newly-revised piece by veteran American composer Gloria Coates. Rainbow Across the Night Sky features the composer's trademark glissandi and as well the sounds of kazoos played by the ensemble.
Also on the programme, Cassandra Miller's prize-winning About Bach performed by the Bozzini Quartet at Wigmore Hall at the beginning of December.
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Music Played
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Doug Tielli
Bucolic chorale
Ensemble: The Imaginary Brass Band.- The Imaginary Brass Band.
- Rat-drifting.
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Hildegard von Bingen
O coruscans lux stellarum
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
O virtus sapientiae
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Arvo Pärt
Missa syllabica (I: Kyrie; II: Gloria)
Performer: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
Aer enim volat
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Arvo Pärt
Missa syllabica (III: Credo)
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
Deus enim rorem
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Arvo Pärt
Missa Syllabica (IV: Sanctus; V:Benedictus; VI: Agnus Dei; VII: Ite, Missa Est)
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
O viriditas digiti Dei
Performer: Exaudi. Music Arranger: James Weeks. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Brendan Champeaux
Periscope
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Cassandra Miller
About Bach
Ensemble: Quatuor Bozzini. -
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John Cage
Ear for EAR
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Alvin Lucier
Unamuno
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
O quam mirabilis
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
O speculum columbe
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Catherine Lamb
song/form
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Hildegard von Bingen
afterlight
Music Arranger: James Weeks. Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks. -
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Gloria Coates
Rainbow Across the Night Sky
Ensemble: Exaudi. Conductor: James Weeks.
Broadcast
- Christmas Eve 2022 22:00BBC Radio 3
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