Spectacular Choral Premieres for Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra from 21 May
Transience & homelessness in new, 32-part setting of Gavin Bryars’ classic Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet.
Plus, a debut for Antony Pitts’ remarkable, moving new work Transiens
50 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 première of Bryars’ new 32-part, choral anniversary version
in 5 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 early in 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 Bandcamp profile [https://thesongcompany.
A limited-edition vinyl of the Burden of Truth album is scheduled for July 2021.
Listen now to this extract of Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet (2’29”)
View: The making of a lockdown album – the recording (23’10”)
in which 16 of the singers on the Burden of Truth album talk about recording at home, recording alone and recording perfection!
Full details, videos, recordings and concert bookings at https://the.song.company/
Stained Glass: Creation Window by David Wright, photographed by permission of St James’ King Street, Sydney
Seven Last Words. Oriana Chorale directed by Dan Walker.
Photo by Peter Hislop.
The Song Company,
Antony Pitts, Artistic Director (pictured) presents:
BURDEN OF TRUTH
PROGRAM
Gavin Bryars (b. 1943): Jesus’ Blood Never Failed Me Yet
(a cappella version – 50th anniversary world première)
Antony Pitts (b. 1969) after Robert Wylkynson (fl.1500): Transiens (world première)
ARTISTS
Sopranos: Amy Moore, Bonnie de la Hunty, Chloe Lankshear, Roberta Diamond
Altos: Alexandria 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 (photos attached)
Choir of Trinity College Melbourne (pictured right)
Students from the Sydney Conservatorium High School
Members of VOX – Sydney Philharmonia Choirs
The Oriana Chorale (Canberra)
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
Tickets: $85 | $75 | $45 | $25
Bookings: http://the.song.company/
Media: the full release – including more program details and quotes from the composers – is attached,
along with a selection of images. For interviews, artist details, recordings, review tickets,
video features – including Antony Pitts’ conversation with Gavin Bryars – and more, contact:
Geoff Sirmai Arts Publicity (02) 9345 0360 m: 0412 669 272 e: [email protected]
The Song Company is Australia’s leading professional vocal ensemble. Unique in its stylistic diversity with repertoire spanning the 9th century to today,
the Company brings together the country’s finest voices in innovative performances, artistic development, educational outreach, and collaborative music-making across art forms.
Its long-standing and extensive commissioning program is also central to its ethos. With a palette of outstanding Principal, Guest, Associate, and Ensemble Artists,
The Song Company is reshaping the professional vocal landscape in Australia for today and the next generation.
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