Transcend the bounds of earth and sky in this week’s episode of Sound in Print. Joan Szymko’s “Stars in Your Bones” is a stunning choral piece radiating a sense of belonging among humanity, using poetry by Alla Bozarth. “Esta Tierra” (This Land), by Basque composer Javier Busto, evokes an appreciation of earthly beauty through the lust poetry of Francisco Pino. In Elaine Hagenburg’s “Measure Me, Sky!,” the composer encourages singers to take hold of their limitless potential through Leonora Speyer’s euphoric poetry. Lastly, we’ll soar with Monteverdi’s Vespers of 1610, a choral masterpiece blending styles old and new. Using choral settings of the five traditional psalms heard in Marian feast services as the foundation for the work, Monteverdi interlaced non-liturgical motets in between these more traditional movements, using poetry from Song of Solomon, passages from the books of Isaiah and John, hymns, and anonymous poetry from the time.
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