CONTENT COURTESY THE SONG COMPANY
Fifty years ago, English composer Gavin Bryars was struck by a tape loop of a homeless person singing a fragment of a hymn tune. He added harmonies and instruments and created Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet – a hypnotic piece that has since gained a cult following around the world.
Now, in 2021, The Song Company performs the a cappella world premiere of Bryars’ new 32-part choral anniversary version in five concerts at venues in Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra – each in collaboration with local ensembles.
The program also features a new 25-part choral motet, Transiens, based on the glorious music of the Eton Choir Book by The Song Company artistic director Antony Pitts. Transiens was inspired after Pitts’ road trip from Uluru northward to Kakadu in early 2020.
The Song Company also releases its extraordinary album recording – produced under COVID lockdown conditions by 34 singers recorded remotely and produced to coincide with the tour.
The full album recording is available now through The Song Company Digital Membership and will be digitally released on the 21 May via The Song Company’s Bandcamp profile. A limited-edition vinyl of the Burden of Truth album is scheduled for July 2021.
The Song Company, artistic director Antony Pitts presents: Burden of Truth
PROGRAM
Gavin Bryars (b. 1943): Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet (a cappella version – 50th anniversary world premiere)
Antony Pitts (b. 1969) after Robert Wylkynson (fl.1500): Transiens (world premiere)
ARTISTS
Sopranos: Amy Moore, Bonnie de la Hunty, Chloe Lankshear, Roberta Diamond
Altos: Alexandra Siegers, Hannah Fraser, Janine Harris, Jessica O’Donoghue, Stephanie Dillon
Tenors: Christopher Watson, Dan Walker, Ethan Taylor, Koen van Stade
Basses: Edward Elias, Hayden Barrington, Lincoln Law, Lucien Fischer, Thomas Flint
Antony Pitts, Director
PARTNER ENSEMBLES
Choir of Trinity College Melbourne
Students from the Sydney Conservatorium High School
Members of VOX – Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
The Oriana Chorale
The SongCo Chorale
TOUR DATES
Melbourne
21 May, 7.30pm – St Michael’s Uniting Church, 120 Collins St, Melbourne
22 May, 3pm – Trinity College Chapel, 671 Elizabeth St, Melbourne
Sydney
28 May, 7pm – The Cell Block Theatre, Burton St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
29 May, 3pm – The Cell Block Theatre, Burton St, Darlinghurst, Sydney
Canberra:
10 June, 7pm – Albert Hall, 100 Commonwealth Ave, Yarralumla, Canberra
Bookings: the.song.company/burden-of-truth
Images supplied.
