The American small choir Skylark, with origins in Boston and Atlanta, has become recognized for unusual programming that draws unexpected connections between musical works. Seven Words from the Cross does this, and more. The program, ranging from African American spirituals to William Billings to Hildegard von Bingen to contemporary Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, is varied yet logical and satisfying in its flow; the juxtaposition of Billings with Poulenc's Vinea mea electa is especially ingenious. And then, ...
Read More
The American small choir Skylark, with origins in Boston and Atlanta, has become recognized for unusual programming that draws unexpected connections between musical works. Seven Words from the Cross does this, and more. The program, ranging from African American spirituals to William Billings to Hildegard von Bingen to contemporary Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir, is varied yet logical and satisfying in its flow; the juxtaposition of Billings with Poulenc's Vinea mea electa is especially ingenious. And then, Skylark and director Matthew Guard kick things up to another level by fitting these virtues to the Holy Week theme of the seven last words of Christ. The program was devised in response to an invitation from the British group Tenebrae for Skylark to perform during the Holy Week Festival at St. John's Smith Square in London, and it was shaped partly by that invitation: Guard included the spirituals and the works by Billings, for instance, because they felt that they were representing the...
Read Less