This is not the first time Collegium Vocale and Het Collectief have climbed the stage together: a few years ago, under the direction of the late Reinbert de Leeuw, we browsed through the wonderful and often childish fantasy world of Leoš Janáček. Our CD recording 'Rikadla' was enthusiastically received in the international press.
Our new collaboration started when we asked the German composer Johannes Schöllhorn to write a new piece for choir and ensemble. 'Specchio' is a litany without words, a speechless invocation of a god or goddess who turns out not to exist. In a way, Schöllhorn wants to express a feeling of powerlessness regarding the recent violence of war in Europe.
In stark contrast to this message are the Prophetiae Sybillarum by Orlando Lassus. After all, in these 16th century motets, which are striking for their extremely chromatic voicing, the coming of Christ is predicted.
And the term 'Talea' also takes us back to a distant past. A talea is a recurring rhythmic pattern that gives the cantus firmus of a medieval motet its specific character. Gérard Grisey transposes this idea to our time in one of the most striking ensemble pieces of the late 20th century.