The album entitled ‘Night’ is music for choir and cello, featuring compositions by Richard Allain, Frank Ferko, Rudi Tas, Knut Nystedt, Elizabeth Maconchy and young Oxford composer and choir member, John Duggan.
Commotio is one of Oxford's leading choral groups, formed in August 1999 to provide a refreshing alternative to the more readily available repertoire offered by most other chamber choirs, performing primarily lesser known material from the 20th and 21st centuries. Matthew Berry, the founder and conductor of the choir, enthusiastically promotes the work of a younger generation of composers, as well as bringing to the fore little known works of more established writers.
Knut Nystedt, born September 3, 1915 in Kristiania (now Oslo), Norway, is an orchestral and choral composer. He grew up in a religious home where hymns and classical music were an important part of everyday life. His major compositions for choir and vocal soloists are mainly based on texts from the Bible or sacred themes. Ancient church music, especially Palestrina and Gregorian chants, have had a major influence on his compositions. In 1966, the King of Norway made him a Knight of the Order of St. Olav in recognition of his contribution to Norwegian music.
The CD, produced by Herald, will be formally launched with a concert at St. George’s, Bloomsbury in London on 16 February. It can be bought via the Commotio website or via Amazon.
16 February at 7.30pm
St. Georges Church
6-7 Little Russell Street
London WC1A 2HR
Tickets are available on Commotio's website