Donald Nally, Director of the splendid Philadelphia choir The Crossing, joins John for this New Sounds, to present portions of "The Fifth Century," a work written by Gavin Bryars for the choir and the PRISM Sax Quartet.  

Bryars sets text by the 17th century English poet and theologian Thomas Traherne from his intensely spiritual writings, Centuries of Meditations, specifically, the last section, which also lends its title to Bryars' work. Listen to three movements from "The Fifth Century," by Gavin Bryars, including the remarkable, yet subtle texture of the fourth movement which has much in common with ambient music. It’s a virtuosic piece, for both the amount of sustain required of the 24 singers of The Crossing, as well as the restraint by and support of the saxophones of PRISM.

Also, listen to music for saxophones with electronics and choir by Estonian composer Tõnu Kõrvits, and one of his “Hymns From The Western Coast,” sung in Swedish. Plus, hear music by Latvian composer Santa Ratniece, which uses prayers of the Ainu people (Island of Hokkaido of the Kuril and Sachalin Islands, Japan).  The work begins with a lullaby, then incorporates the  Ainu hunters’ prayers in concert with bird calls and animal noises, evoking the sounds of a forest, all with the voices of The Crossing. 

PROGRAM #3821, With Donald Nally, dir. of The Crossing (First Aired 1-21-2016)

ARTIST: The Crossing & PRISM Sax Quartet
WORK: Tõnu Kõrvits: Mvt. 4 from "Hümnid Läänerannikult (Hymns From The Western Coast)- Pris vare Gud som låter oss glada vakna (Praise The Lord Who Lets Us Awake Happily) [2:31]
RECORDING: Live, 2014, Month of Moderns, Concert 3
SOURCE: soundcloud.com/the-crossing/korvits
INFO:  crossingchoir.com

ARTIST: The Crossing, PRISM Quartet
WORK: The Fifth Century, I [9:43]
RECORDING: Gavin Bryars: The Fifth Century
SOURCE: ECM Records
INFO: Due out May 2016

ARTIST: The Crossing, PRISM Quartet
WORK: The Fifth Century, II [5:37]
RECORDING: Gavin Bryars: The Fifth Century
SOURCE: ECM Records
INFO: Due out May 2016

ARTIST: The Crossing, PRISM Quartet
WORK: The Fifth Century, IV [6:43]
RECORDING: Gavin Bryars: The Fifth Century
SOURCE: ECM Records
INFO: Due out May 2016

ARTIST: The Crossing 
WORK: Santa Ratniece:  Horo Horo Hata Hata [9:55]
RECORDING: Live, 2013 US premiere, Month of Moderns festival at The Icebox at Crane Arts on June 23, 2013
SOURCE: Not yet commercially recorded, but there is a Youtube video
INFO:  crossingchoir.com