IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ALL MEMBERS OF BUCKDEN SINGERS

 

Hi everyone,

As we are making such excellent progress with the more difficult pieces e.g. Skye Boat Song, Scarborough Fair, and as our choir numbers are growing, I have decided to scrap the planned second half of the programme for our summer concert and replace it with one very challenging piece – Alessandro Striggio’s “Missa Sopra Ecco si beato giorno”, written for the court of Cosimo de’ Medici in the 1560’s.

This is an a capella (unaccompanied) piece written in 40 parts split into five distinct choirs each made up of 8 parts. Each person has a separate designated part e.g.: Baritone 4, Counter Tenor 1. The 40 parts all blend together in a marvellous balance of harmony, counterpoint and dynamic. Clearly, learning this piece – three bars takes up four pages – is going to be challenging for us all, but I am optimistic it is a challenge we shall relish. I attach an MP3 recording of the finale: “D’ogni gratia et d’amor” to inspire you all in this exciting project.

I suggest we initially divide ourselves into the five choirs and, from those, choose the part we think best suits our individual voices. I have attached an example of the music to help you with your choice. I suggest that I lead choir 1, John leads choir 2, Josie leads choir 3, Debbie leads choir 4, and Wilf choir 5. We will need to meet separately initially to learn our respective parts and then meet to put it all together.

I suggest the following venues:

Group 1 – The Institute

Group 2 – The Garth

Group 3 – The Schoolroom

Group 4 – Gary’s Barn

Group 5 – The Village Green

 

I feel that given the complexity of the piece it will be necessary to extend choir practices from 7.30pm – 11.00pm twice weekly. Please let me know which is your preferred second night. Please look at the attached music carefully and let me know as soon as possible which part you feel is best suited to you. I will then finalise this and get back to you before next week’s rehearsal.

For those of you who feel the need to polish up your Latin pronunciation, we will run classes in the Institute on Friday mornings.

I hope no-one feels daunted by this challenge. Indeed so optimistic do I feel that I have already contacted the makers of ‘In England’s Green and Pleasant Land’ so they can film our progress. I personally am very excited by the project and look forward to our rehearsals with enthusiasm.

Yours very musically, 

Anne x

Click here to download a sample of the sheet music                                    Click here to download the piece "D’ogni gratia et d’amor”