Composer Michael Norris Photo: Nate Black
When the Wellington choir Tudor Consort asked Michael Norris to write a work to celebrate its 40th birthday, the composer didn't hold back.
Next month will see the world premiere of Norris' SoundCathedral, with the Tudor Consort joined by contemporary music group Stroma, the Wellington Cathedral Bellringers, and the Rangatuone Ensemble - a sextet of taonga pūoro led by Dr Riki Pirihi.
Norris has written the 80-minute work with the premiere's venue in mind, Wellington's reverberant Anglican Cathedral of St Paul.
SoundCathedral's starting point is a set of motets - Prophetiae Sibyllarum (Sibylline Prophecies) - by the 16th-century Italian Orlando di Lasso, which Norris has "stretched, split" and rearranged in an "immersive" work where the performers will surround the audience.
Wellington Cathedral of St Paul: a big venue for a big work. Photo: RNZ / Charlotte Cook
Album cover, Rerenga Photo: UnkleFranc/Rattle Records
Norris sat down with RNZ Concert host Bryan Crump ahead of the work's premiere as part of the Aotearoa International Festival of the Arts.
The Wellington composer has also released his debut album "Rerenga", which includes recordings of his violin concerto "Sama" with Amalia Hall, "Sygyt" a work for small orchestra and throat singer Jonny Marks, while the title track is a piece for taonga pūoro (featuring Alistair Fraser), orchestra and live electronics.
While Norris' work has featured on other albums, this release, on the Rattle label, is the first one devoted entirely to his music.
