Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson – Robert Kyr: Earth Vigil (2024) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz]

Conspirare, Craig Hella Johnson - Robert Kyr: Earth Vigil (2024) [FLAC 24bit/96kHz] Download

With the world premiere recording of the environmental oratorio Earth Vigil, GRAMMY® Award-winning choir Conspirare and conductor Craig Hella Johnson celebrate their long-time artistic relationship with composer Robert Kyr. Earth Vigil tells a tender and moving story of two characters and their dramatic journey amidst great challenges caused by the intensifying climate crisis. This extraordinary new work invites us to remember the wonder and beauty of the natural world and of our lives together on this planet. As it comes to a close, the final scene compels us forward with a profoundly hopeful and emboldening song. Soprano Awet Andemicael and baritone Stephen Lancaster give voice to the leading characters.Robert Kyr has a broad tonal style that fits the clean lines of the Conspirare chorus, and he has worked with that group on several occasions. Earth Vigil isn’t the first “environmental oratorio” he has composed for the group; it was preceded by A Time for Life in 2009. One attractive feature of the work is that it is a true oratorio, with a chorus embodying and commenting on the larger themes and soloists who sing recitatives and arias; they converse about the degradation of the environment, but there isn’t really a plot as such. The soloists are a writer, Alesha (a soprano), and Tallis, a scientist, photographer, and videographer (a baritone). Some of Kyr’s works include world music influences, but here, his language is more stripped-down, in keeping with the impassioned nature of the work. The text of the opening movements, apparently by Kyr himself, although some of it is modeled on other sources, draws on Native American ideas. The work has a notably positive conclusion. What one will think of this will depend on one’s basic sympathy for the musical style, which can easily be established with a bit of sampling. As usual with Conspirare and its soloists and accompanying musicians (there are seven here), the performances are first-rate. – James Manheim

Tracklist:

1. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 1: No. 1, Invocation. Creation Story (00:58)
2. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 1: No. 2,Chorus. Hail, One Life! (08:14)
3. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 2: No. 1, Narrative I. Remembering (01:32)
4. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 2: No. 2, Aria. Shining Stonesong (06:10)
5. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 3: Chorus. Hail, One Life! (Refrain I) (02:05)
6. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 4: No. 1, Narrative II, Pt. 1. Finding a Time (00:59)
7. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 4: No. 2, Aria. Thunder Floodsong (03:13)
8. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 5: No. 1, Narrative II, Pt. 2. Panic and Anguish (01:48)
9. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 5: No. 2, Duo Aria. Wildfire Smokesong (02:36)
10. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 6: No. 1, Narrative II, Pt. 3. Only One Way (00:17)
11. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 6: No. 2, Duo Aria. Roaring Riversong (01:58)
12. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 7: Chorus. Hail, One Life! (Refrain II) (01:41)
13. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 1. Emerging (01:44)
14. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 2, Lament. All Is Gone (03:26)
15. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 3, Chorus I. The Joyless Land (02:13)
16. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 4, Chorus II. All of You Who Pass By (00:58)
17. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 8: No. 5, Aria. I Will Go On (02:53)
18. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 9: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 2. Night Falling (03:02)
19. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 9: No. 2, Aria. Circle of Arms (05:01)
20. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 10: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 3. Early Light (01:04)
21. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 10: No. 2, Chorale Aria. Tree of Life Song (09:37)
22. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 11: No. 1, Narrative III, Pt. 4. Fire and Water (02:42)
23. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 11: No. 2, Finale. Now Is the Time (03:34)
24. Conspirare & Craig Hella Johnson – Kyr: Earth Vigil, Scene 11: No. 3, Chorale. Eternal Wonder Arising (02:02)