Par BURTON KEN. British composer Ken Burton was drawn to the poetry of 18th-century slave and writer Phyllis Wheatley for his piece Descend to Earth. The dual troubles of pandemic and racial oppression in 2020 resonate with Wheatley?s concise poem, the start of which recalls the Christmas/Holiday season. Written for SSAATTBB unaccompanied choir plus baritone solo, Descend to Earth will have a place in many programs with varied themes. It was commissioned by VOCES8 for their LIVE From London festival in 2020 and premiered by them with baritone Roderick Williams./ Répertoire / Ch?ur SSAATTBB sans Accompagnement

Par FERRARIO PIETRO. Jubilate Deo was written an June 2002, and dedicated by the composer to his Ensemble vocale Calycanthus. The first world performance took place in Italy at Isola Vicentina – Santuario di S. Maria del Cengio, by the Ensemble vocale Calycanthus, on May 2003, 10th. The piece was unanimously awarded the first prize at the International Trophy of Choral Composition “C. A. Seghizzi” 2004 at Gorizia [Italy], and was performed during the prestigious final of the European Choral Grand Prix 2004 by Ars Cantica Choir. The motet has a great rhythmic vivacity, with rich and colourful harmonies. It has a simple structure A-B-A’. The contrasting central section is more meditative, with manysolos, and echoes from Gregorian chant. The final section is a shortened and varied recapitulation of the first one, treated with increasing energy, exaltation and harmonic surprise. / Musique contemporaine / Répertoire / Choeur SSAATTBB