Gavin Bryars - Laude Cortonese vol. 2

Following in the success of Gavin Bryars’ first volume of Laude for unaccompanied female voices, Laude Cortonese vol. 2, for mixed voices a cappella is now available.  Containing 10 laude written between 2002 and 2007, the unaccompanied vocal works give the opportunity for new vocal combinations (soprano and tenor; soprano, tenor and bass; 2 sopranos, alto and tenor; and 2 sopranos, alto, tenor and bass) to explore beautiful and rewarding sound world of Bryars’ laude.

Sample pages of Lauda 4 are available to view and download from the Schott website – click here – and Laude 4, 6, 9, 16 and 19 all appear on GB records’ Oi Me Lasso.

The whole body of Bryars’ laude has its origins in the world of early music and are based in spirit and feeling on the unaccompanied laude found in a collection from Cortona, Itlaly from the 13th century.  The people who originally sang these songs – the ‘laudesi’ – banded together in confraternities but were not usually associated with any particular church and the music was not part of any liturgy.

On their composition, the composer has written:
 

" I have endeavoured to stay true to the spirit of the original laude,
which I treat with great respect. I conform, for example, as far as possible to the
number of notes to a syllable that are found in the original and frequently quote or
parody elements from the melodic contours and even individual phrases.
All the pieces are written very quickly - seldom taking more than a couple of hours.

I relish the challenge of writing something so exposed, so naked and unadorned,
where I cannot hide behind, say, a skilfully orchestrated accompaniment.
Like a painter who has hitherto had the luxury of painting massive canvases with dense oils,
being obliged to work in pen and ink, in black and white, on a simple piece of paper.
And like a Zen artist,refusing the possibility of revision or correction. "

The third volume of Laude, for voices and one or two instruments will be published in 2010.

• Gavin Bryars – Profile
• Laude Cortonese vol. 2
• Laude Cortonese vol. 1
• Gavin Bryars – Oi Me Lasso