- Commotio (Oxford-based choir)
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Commotio is an Oxford-based chamber choir formed in August 1999 to promote neglected contemporary choral repertoire.
Contents
History
Its conductor (and founder) is Matt Berry.[1][2] Matt studied music at University College, Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist. He has studied organ under David Sanger, David Goode and Ian Curror, and choral direction with Patrick Russill.
Commotio's performances have included the 2nd UK concert performance of Alfred Schnittke's Requiem, the World Première of Pierre Villette’s Inviolata and Peter Klatzow’s[3] Prayers and Dances from Africa.
Commotio also promotes and performs the works of a younger generation of composers, most recently Jonathan Bridcut,[4] Richard Allain,[5] Mihyun Woo, Robert Fokkens, John Duggan[6] and Alexander Campkin.[7]
Commotio's debut CD of South African choral music was released in February 2006, followed by a CD for Choir and Cello[8] in February 2008. A track from the latter disc, Richard Allain’s Ubi caritas,[9] was chosen to feature on the Classic FM core playlist and appears in the compilation CD Smooth Classics – the Ultimate Collection. A CD of the music of James Whitbourn[10] was released on the Naxos label in February 2010.
Commotio has commissioned Oxford composer John Duggan, and Richard Allain, and most recently Edward Cowie.
Performances
World premières
Composer Work Richard Allain Night * Ambrož Čopi[11] Ave Maria * Edward Cowie Autumn (from Four Seasons) * John Duggan Futility * The singing will never be done * Anthem for doomed youth * Martin Eastwood Ave Maria See, the word is incarnate Henry Howard Song for Lydia Thomas Hyde[12] As a lily among thorns * O nata lux Sweet was the song Francis Pott As Joseph was a-walking Balulalow Pierre Villette Inviolata James Whitbourn He carried me away with the spirit * Mihyun Woo Voices of a Landscape * Written for the choir *
European premières
Composer Work Jaakko Mäntyjärvi O magnum mysterium James Whitbourn Luminosity UK premières
Composer Work Ambrož Čopi O lux beáta Caélitum Exaudi Domine Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus Frank Ferko Lord, let at last Thine angels come Jon Mostad[13] The Lord is my shepherd Sing to the Lord Fredrik Sixten Mariahymn Tantum ergo Rudi Tas[14] Miserere Other significant performances
Composer Work Richard Allain Cradle Song Charles Ives Psalm 90 Peter Dickinson Tiananmen 1989 The Dry Heart Paul Hindemith Mass Peter Klatzow Prayers and Dances of Praise from Africa Knut Nystedt Stabat Mater Alfred Schnittke Requiem Commercial Recordings
Published Title Label Reference 2006 Towards the Light – Choral Works of Peter Klatzow Herald HAVPCD 316 2008 Night – Music for Choir and Cello Herald HAVPCD 340 2010 James Whitbourn – Luminosity Naxos 8.572103 References
External links
Categories:- English choirs
- Musical groups established in 1999
- Music from Oxford
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