Spem in Alium

[rauschwerk]

On reflection, I think that perhaps one reason for the popularity of this piece is that it is manageable by amateur choirs, so there are a lot of singers who want recordings as a kind of memento. The other 40 part pieces known to me (by Carl Rütti, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi and James MacMillan) sound as though they need professional groups to do them justice.

[Joseph K]

... Just came on R3...

[cloughie]

Spam in garlic.

Maybe Python could do ‘Spamshallot’?

[DracoM]

<< Here's a new version of Spem that was put together in Australia.>>

Inspiring and life-affirming!

[Chris Watson]

<< Here's a new version of Spem that was put together in Australia.>>

Inspiring and life-affirming!

Thanks! The chap who put it together did a brilliant job.

[DracoM]

True engineering feat,
'The Archers'.....are you listening?

[Joseph K]

... Just came on R3...

Not that I know of other pieces with a similar number of voices from the Renaissance, but I was quite moved listening to it this morning. Fantastic piece.

[Vox Humana]

...my first experience of it being in Merton Oxford as very young chap, listening to my Dad and 39 others record it for David Wulstan.

Your dad and 38 others actually. One of Wulstan's regular Clerkes told me this. 40 were booked, only 39 turned up. A hurried spot of re-arrangement covered up the gaps. It doesn't show.

[Chris Watson]

Ha! I don't think I was quite up to the mathematics at that age. I have been involved in another 39 voice performance, as it happens. We sang it at the end of a friend's wedding in Edinburgh and for some reason it was decided that we would repeat it during the party afterwards. There were (if memory serves) 39 singers plus a giggling Watson holding two glasses of Champagne...

Your dad and 38 others actually. One of Wulstan's regular Clerkes told me this. 40 were booked, only 39 turned up. A hurried spot of re-arrangement covered up the gaps. It doesn't show.