British Vocal Ensemble VOCES8 Releases "Lux"

By Timothy Yap Feb 03, 2015 04:59 AM EST

The British vocal ensemble VOCES8 is now established as one of the most versatile and best-loved singing groups in the world. Touring extensively throughout Europe, North America and Asia, the ensemble performs a repertory from Renaissance polyphony to contemporary commissions and arrangements. On February 3, they will release their brand new album via DECCA MUSIC, "Lux."

Lux (the Latin for "light") brings hope, banishes darkness and nurtures both the body and the spirit - it has inspired composers from the earliest times until the present day. The album finds the British ensemble tackling a luminous selection of pieces spanning over 400 years: from Thomas Tallis and Gregorio Allegri to Massive Attack (Teardrop) and Ben Folds Five (The Luckiest - which appeared on the soundtrack for Richard Curtis's film About Time).

One of the songs, Paul Mealor's "Ubi Caritas," was commissioned by Prince William and sung at the Prince's wedding to Catherine Middleton in 2011. "Lux" features works by two of the most talked about composers of our time: Norway's Ola Gjeilo and Will Todd (UK). The album also includes popular classics such as Allegri's "Miserere" and Elgar's "Nimrod."

In recent seasons VOCES8 has performed at venues such as the Wigmore Hall, Royal Festival Hall, Cite de la Musique Paris, Tokyo Opera City, National Concert Hall Taipei, National Centre for the Performing Arts Beijing, Shanghai Concert Hall, Tel Aviv Opera House and Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall. Highlights of the 2014/2015 season include performances at Bozar Brussels, Lund Festival, Berliner Dom, Hamburg Laeiszhalle, Canterbury Festival, 3 Choirs Festival, Moscow International House of Music, the ACDA National Convention in Salt Lake City, return visits to Tokyo Opera City, Wigmore Hall, Mariinsky Theatre Concert Hall, La Folle Journée France, and a debut tour of Canada.

Track Listing

01. Ubi Caritas (1999)

02. O Nata Lux

03. Lux Aeterna

04. Teardrop

05. Mother Of God, Here I Stand

06. Miserere

07. Stars

08. Ave Maria 1

09. Prayer To A Guardian Angel

10. Bogoroditse Devo

11. O Nata Lux