The a cappella motet 'Alleluja' (2018) is a 'song of longing' which resonates existential need as well as the hope of a profound connection to God. In the beginning which is delicate and motivically very concentrated but metrically deliberately uncoordinated more and more voices gather to sing together until suddenly starting from the bass a violent and rhythmically exalted incantation breaks out. The following fortissimo unison in a high register is the climax of the entire work piece. In the â??Abgesang â? the beginning is taken up but now in a polyphonic and harmonically intensified setting. The end in A major seems like a salvation. The work has been released onthe CD 'Rejoice. Vocal Music by Kay Johannsen' (Carus 83.496/00).

VOCES8 singles series-A standalone work for SATB choir and SATB solo quartet painting a picture of the different characters of a dream. This movement is both comforting and confusing and is inspired by the Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. A New World is a musical story across five movements with texts by authors from Cicero and Ovid to George William Russel; from nursery rhymes to war poets. The music and texts link to form a narrative that questions what sort of ?New Worlds? have come into existence or could be created in our future and considers how we balance human traits of fear displacement isolation and conflict with equally human traits of love hope forgiveness and unity. The internationally-renowned British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is proud to inspire people through music and share the joy of singing. The celebration of diverse musical expression is central to the ensemble?s ethos and this is shown in their versatile concert programmes and innovative educational work. The ?VOCES8 singles? series includes songs for which the group is particularly well known and which have been composed or arranged specifically for VOCES8.