Commotio (Oxford-based choir)

Commotio is an Oxford-based chamber choir formed in August 1999 to promote neglected contemporary choral repertoire.

History

Its conductor (and founder) is Matt Berry.[1][2] Matt studied music at University College, Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist. He has studied organ under David Sanger, David Goode and Ian Curror, and choral direction with Patrick Russill.

Commotio's performances have included the 2nd UK concert performance of Alfred Schnittke's Requiem, the World Première of Pierre Villette’s Inviolata and Peter Klatzow’s[3] Prayers and Dances from Africa.

Commotio also promotes and performs the works of a younger generation of composers, most recently Jonathan Bridcut,[4] Richard Allain,[5] Mihyun Woo, Robert Fokkens, John Duggan[6] and Alexander Campkin.[7]

Commotio's debut CD of South African choral music was released in February 2006, followed by a CD for Choir and Cello[8] in February 2008. A track from the latter disc, Richard Allain’s Ubi caritas,[9] was chosen to feature on the Classic FM core playlist and appears in the compilation CD Smooth Classics – the Ultimate Collection. A CD of the music of James Whitbourn[10] was released on the Naxos label in February 2010.

Commotio has commissioned Oxford composer John Duggan, and Richard Allain, and most recently Edward Cowie.

Performances

World premières

Composer Work
Richard Allain Night *
Ambrož Čopi[11] Ave Maria *
Edward Cowie Autumn (from Four Seasons) *
John Duggan Futility *
The singing will never be done *
Anthem for doomed youth *
Martin Eastwood Ave Maria
See, the word is incarnate
Henry Howard Song for Lydia
Thomas Hyde[12] As a lily among thorns *
O nata lux
Sweet was the song
Francis Pott As Joseph was a-walking
Balulalow
Pierre Villette Inviolata
James Whitbourn He carried me away with the spirit *
Mihyun Woo Voices of a Landscape *

Written for the choir *

European premières

Composer Work
Jaakko Mäntyjärvi O magnum mysterium
James Whitbourn Luminosity

UK premières

Composer Work
Ambrož Čopi O lux beáta Caélitum
Exaudi Domine
Omnes gentes, plaudite manibus
Frank Ferko Lord, let at last Thine angels come
Jon Mostad[13] The Lord is my shepherd
Sing to the Lord
Fredrik Sixten Mariahymn
Tantum ergo
Rudi Tas[14] Miserere

Other significant performances

Composer Work
Richard Allain Cradle Song
Charles Ives Psalm 90
Peter Dickinson Tiananmen 1989
The Dry Heart
Paul Hindemith Mass
Peter Klatzow Prayers and Dances of Praise from Africa
Knut Nystedt Stabat Mater
Alfred Schnittke Requiem

Commercial Recordings

Published Title Label Reference
2006 Towards the Light – Choral Works of Peter Klatzow Herald HAVPCD 316
2008 Night – Music for Choir and Cello Herald HAVPCD 340
2010 James Whitbourn – Luminosity Naxos 8.572103
2012 In the Heart of Things – Choral Music of Francis Pott Naxos 8.572739
2013 The Rose in the Middle of Winter – Bob Chilcott Naxos 8.573159

References

External links

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