The album's program is bookended by two settings of the 'Sicut lilium' text: the earliest polyphonic setting by Antoine Brumel and a new reflection on it by young British composer John Barber.
Historical Context
The Song of Songs, also known as the Song of Solomon, is a book from the Jewish Scriptures and a Canonical Old Testament book of the Christian faith, traditionally attributed to King Solomon.
Album & Artwork
This album, titled 'Desires: A Song of Songs collection', features a blend of compositions spanning centuries, all based on the texts of the Song of Songs.
Composition History
The album features new works commissioned by ORA Singers, including 'Vadam et circuibo civitatem' by Jonathan Dove and 'Sicut lilium' by John Barber, which are world premiere recordings.
Compositional Technique
Jonathan Dove's 'Vadam et circuibo civitatem' reflects on Victoria's setting of the same text, with a large part dwelling on Victoria's first eight bars and reaching a climax on the striking command 'Adiuro vos'.
Performer Biography
Suzi Digby, the Artistic Director and Conductor of ORA Singers, is an internationally renowned Choral Conductor and Music Educator who has founded several influential national arts/educational organizations in the UK.
Cultural Impact
The Song of Songs has been viewed with suspicion or contempt due to its passionate and sexually explicit nature, with some rabbinic traditions restricting its reading until age thirty.
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