First Drop
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Paul Hillier
their works sound remarkably fresh, thanks in no9 small part to Ars Nova’s refined naturalness of delivery…the soundworld is generally post-minimal – and the singing immaculate…the highlight...
First Drop
Ars Nova Copenhagen, Paul Hillier
Purchase product
their works sound remarkably fresh, thanks in no9 small part to Ars Nova’s refined naturalness of delivery…the soundworld is generally post-minimal – and the singing immaculate…the highlight...
About
Conducted by Paul Hillier since 2003, Denmark’s Ars Nova Copenhagen has built an immovable reputation as one of the world’s most versatile and inventive vocal ensembles. First Drop is testament to that spirit; it’s a wide-ranging and ambitious project that interprets the choral work of some of the giants of contemporary classical music, including Steve Reich, Terry Riley, Louis Andriessen, Michael Gordon, David Lang and more.
“Almost all the works on this CD are first recordings,” Hillier explains, referring to one source of inspiration behind the title. “Ideally we wanted the idea of First Drop to remain ambiguous, but the diligent listener will sooner or later notice that it originates with Ralph Waldo Emerson.”
Recorded over a stretch of nearly ten years, in different locations and with different configurations of singers, the performances documented here still come across as parts of a seamless whole. From the haunting strains of Michael Gordon’s He Saw A Skull (composed specifically for the 12 voices of Ars Nova) to Hillier’s vocal arrangement of Steve Reich’s classic Clapping Music, First Drop channels a vernal energy that’s unparalleled in new vocal music
Contents and tracklist
Awards and reviews
August 2017
their works sound remarkably fresh, thanks in no9 small part to Ars Nova’s refined naturalness of delivery…the soundworld is generally post-minimal – and the singing immaculate…the highlight in harmonic terms is Michael Gordon’s Talmud-inspired He saw a skull…a striking piece from a composer who merits wider attention
September 2017
Ars Nova Copenhagen is Denmark’s crack vocal group of 12 singers for whom this varied programme of contemporary choral music holds no fears. They rise to every challenge sent their way- and the results are breath-taking in their virtuosity and musicality.
26th May 2017
As well as being a pleasure in itself, this disc makes an ideal sampler of new music being written for choirs…almost every piece is getting its first recording and there are some striking items among them, not least Howard Skempton’s sensual Rise up my love…performances by the 12-strong Ars Nova Copenhagen are first-rate.
11th June 2017
A retrospect of Hillier’s years with his vocal group, this disc presents 11 contemporary works. Most impressive is Jackson’s L’Homme armé, an antiwar meditation deriving from a 15th-century song, and a harmonic triumph.
2nd July 2017
The 12 singers of Ars Nova are immaculate throughout.
Classical Music August 2017
Hillier's collection is a true labour of love. It was recorded over the course of ten years and his advocacy and the commitment of this world-class ensemble do the project proud.
