PIAE CANTIONES: ANDREW LAWRENCE-KING, UTOPIA CHAMBER CHOIR (CD)

ALIA VOX DIVERSA, the new collection created 4 years ago to host independent productions by outstanding musicians who for many years have featured in concerts and recordings with our ensembles HESPÈRION XXI, LA CAPELLA REIAL DE CATALUNYA and LE CONCERT DES NATIONS, is pleased to release and present this new album Piae Cantiones (Spiritual Songs) by the vocal ensemble UTOPIA CHAMBER CHOIR and an instrumental group conducted by Andrew Lawrence-King. This new programme, conceived, recreated and directed by Andrew Lawrence-King one of the most long-standing and imaginative collaborators in our long career in musical production, brings us the beautiful and ancient spiritual songs celebrating the mystery of the Nativity. The earlier choral versions, which were released in Finland, have enjoyed great success in Nordic and English-speaking countries.

Once again, this extraordinary programme embodies all the qualities envisaged for the Alia Vox Diversa collection: the rediscovery of neglected repertories such as the spiritual music surrounding the celebration of the Nativity from the ancient cultures of Finland and other Nordic lands, recreated and performed with sensitivity and assurance, as well as respect for the traditions and historical practices of the Renaissance and the early Baroque.

Let us listen to this wonderful music, these hauntingly beautiful songs and, thanks to the talent and sensitivity of the singers and instrumentalists of UTOPIA CHAMBER CHOIR under the direction of Andrew Lawrence-King, discover in the vitality and emotion of these musical gems the essence of the spiritual musical culture of the old northern European countries.