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Choral music is, in its essence, not really a visual form, but that is changing. Below you will find a selection of  choral groups and events that may interest you to explore further.

I have to say that I am not hugely impressed by ethnic choral singing that much with a few exceptions – here are two…

Hamlet Gonashvili & The Rustavi Choir

What can I say about this that describes its beauty? Georgian choral singing is among one of the wonders of the world, and Gonashvili was one of those voices that can touch the quick of the soul. One of the greatest singers who ever lived.

Le Mystere des voix Bulgares

I saw this choir in Dublin around fifteen years ago, and they had a profound effect on me. I have been reliably informed by a Bulgarian colleague that this isn’t traditional music by any means, but a modern construct inspired by traditional techniques, blended with contemporary harmonic sensibilities. Sounds more than a bit like Anúna really. Whatever – I love them and frequently forgot to breathe in the performance I saw.

Rajaton

I heard Rajaton first in 2000. I was struck particularly by the material that they sang in their own language (Finnish). I had been aware of Finnish choral music for some time, but the unique timbre of the language lends itself to this sextet’s blend of classical, pop/rock and ethnic strands. These are seamlessly connected together by the brilliance of Rajaton’s singers, and is genuinely original and awe-inspiring. In 2002 I even had the sheer pleasure of singing with them when I brought them to Dublin, a memory I truly treasure. Jussi Chyndenius’ work as an arranger and composer is particularly fine.

The Swingle Singers

I can’t believe that I had never heard this wonderful U.K. based group live before 2011… how did I miss them? I first heard of them singing Berio on a scratchy disc in 1982. Later still I bought a recording of their interpretations of some of my favourite choral music, particularly Ravel’s “Trois Chansons”. There is no doubt that they had a significant effect on what I would eventually do with Anúna in the late 1990s. I can say little more about them other than that they are just brilliant – flexible, individually charismatic and do a great show. They always seem to have been there, changing personnel often. There is a reason why a group has lasted as long as they have – innovation and a profound musical sensibility.

Chanticleer

I love Chanticleer… the first connection I had with them was when they performed my piece “Dúlamán”, and gradually I have got to know them better and better with each passing year. The sound is just wide-open, and the high voice singing gives them that unique edge in SATB repertoire that actually has, I believe, pushed the form forward in the general choral community in the USA. I can’t say enough good things about them. I love this recording particularly.

John Tavener “Song for Athene”

This blew the roof off contemporary choral music when it was performed at the Funeral of Princess Diana in 1997. Tavener, who I had the pleasure of meeting in the mid 1980s, is a profoundly spiritual person. The song is lovely, no doubt, but it was the combination of the choral voices on the day, particularly the immense power of the BBC Singers who feature towards the end of the piece. They are not what one would call typical of the “English” sound. There was a huge sense of katharsis that day, and this performance encapsulated the energy of the occasion. Brilliant inclusion… The climactic section is a technical tour-de-force, and still raises all the hairs on the back of my head.

Eric Whitacre Virtual Choir 2.0

I have to admit that I did shed a tear when I saw this video first. Initially I saw this with my four-year-old daughter on my knee, and to me it appeared to be a coming together of disparate voices, creeds, ethnicities in one unified voice spanning the planet. However, I was unimpressed by the flagrant commercial plug for Decca (Anúna have been signed to them), and I think it diminishes the overall project somewhat. Choral music is, at its essence, music that comes from society rather than the fickle commercial dabblings of large unimaginative record industry conglomerates. This project was too special to be used as a commercial tool. Eric Whitacre was the first classical composer to harness the power of social media and video. Combine this with some lovely choral settings and movie-star looks and you have the first truly international choral superstar [well, him and Gareth Malone].  I honestly don’t think he needed Decca involved in this at all and in some ways it is a bit too slick, too perfect. Ah well…

The second time I watched this video I shed another tear, because it poignantly shows the effect of technology on humanity. The isolated human voice, singing alone in what is the most communal form of music we have on the planet… this project can also be viewed as say “we sing together, united in thought and intent, but we do so while remaining alone and disconnected from each other”. Anti-choral singing in fact – a sign of the times. All the above said – it is pretty impressive stuff. Well done to all involved.

Geinou Yamashirogumi

I have no idea why this Japanese collective of performers remains largely unknown. They perform many different types and styles of music, and they are truly unique. I came across them first in the early 1990s when , like many others, I heard their extraordinary singing on the soundtrack of the anime film “Akira”. Below you will hear what is one of the most disturbing pieces from that film. Brilliance of a soundtrack is only achieved by a perfect marriage off visual and aural. I urge you to seek out this film if you have not seen it, because it really works as a soundtrack – thrilling, disturbing and atmospheric. Be aware that it is horrifyingly violent and not for children, and this clip should be viewed with caution.

Guillaume de Machaut  (c. 1300 – 1377)

Everything that remains of his work is amazing, but the “Messa de Nostra Dame” is uniquely powerful. This version of the Agnus Dei is sung by the Ensemble Gilles Binchois (why is this being conducted…? Are they sight reading and need the security of a beat? Or is it that the conductor wants to conduct? Suggestions please). Wish the Deller Consort Version was still available to hear. This is a very good performance nonetheless. Enjoy.

György Ligeti – “Lux Aeterna”

This piece changed my life. Profound, moving, brilliantly written. Structured immaculately, full of humanity. Full of imagination. I met Ligeti in 1998 and he was everything his music suggested he was. My hero. Not much more to say…

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