Work of the Week - Gerald Barry: Schott and Sons, Mainz

In his first work since joining Schott Music, Gerald Barry continues his exploration of and fascination with Beethoven in his new work for solo bass and SATB choir, Schott and Sons, Mainz. The world premiere takes place on 21st October at Dublin’s The Hugh Lane Gallery with Stephen Richardson reprising his solo role as Beethoven (a role he first made his own in Barry’s earlier work Beethoven), framed by the National Chamber Choir of Ireland conducted by Paul Hillier.

Barry sets extracts from the letters Beethoven wrote at the end of his life to his new publisher, Schott. The texts and their virtuosic setting reflect Beethoven’s volatile character and his musical concerns, revealing the touching nature of his relationship with his last publisher.

Schott and Sons, Mainz is a co-commission between the National Chamber Choir of Ireland, Coro Casa da Musica, Porto and Ars Nova, Copenhagen. The 22 minute work will receive national premieres in the UK at the Belfast Festival on 22nd October (National Chamber Choir of Ireland), in Portugal on 29th May 2011 (Coro Casa da Musica, Porto) and in Denmark at the beginning of the 2011 2012 season.

• Gerald Barry - Profile 
  
• National Chamber Choir of Ireland