Basel Chamber Voices January concerts

North and South

Basel Chamber Voices | Director: Eduardo Vallejo

Traditional songs arranged by John Rutter, Thomas Dunhill, and Carlos Guastavino

This season, Basel Chamber Voices has chosen a selection of folk songs arranged by two composers, one from the North and one from the South. In spite of geographical and linguistic differences, you can see the common treatment of basic human concerns. The urge to express ourselves in song when our emotions overflow is universal, regardless of geography or language, and yet the contrast provided by local flavour provides a new perspective on these universal themes. These songs express desire to protect one's children, fear that it isn't possible, worries about surviving the dangers of war and the desire to cut loose in revelry if one manages. Of course, these folk songs also deal with love: from falling in love, to being spurned, to having a loved one die. They address the trouble one has when love gets old or likely solutions when the person you have chosen can't bear you. These songs even deal with how love can glorify something as mundane as ironing because the girl who is ironing is so amazing. Yes, the Basel Chamber Voices will be singing about ironing this concert!

Each of these composers in their own way has taken simple melodies and, while remaining true to their spirit, has woven out of them complex works with interplay between four or more parts. The additional voices support the tune, sometimes giving an atmosphere of lament with bells and wind or sometimes celebrating like drums and trumpets. The various voices steal the melodies from each other and play with swapping them around. The message of the composers could be that these melodies are so appealing that everyone should be able to enjoy them. Why limit these wonderful folk tunes when you can expand them and see how far they bring us - perhaps even from North to South and back again!

When and where:

17 January 2016, 17:00 - Zunftsaal Schmiedenhof, Rümelinsplatz 4, Basel

Kollekte zg. Basel Chamber Voices

24 January 2016, 17:00 - Dorfkirche, Kirchplatz 7, Riehen

Kollekte zg. der Kirchgemeindestiftung Dorf

Basel Chamber Voices are still looking for voices! If interested, please contact them: basel.chamber.voices@gmail.com