African Sanctus January 28, 2006

Australian Intervarsity Choral Festival Presents:

Fanshawe's African Sanctus

Conductor - Timothy Sexton

Tickets - Adults $40, PSU $32

African Sanctus tickets are available through BASS now!

African Sanctus - David Fanshawe

Excerpts from the official website http://www.africansanctus.com 2002. African Sanctus

The Music

African Sanctus is a universal work whose impact is immediate, whose message is simple, the driving force is one of Praise and a firm believe in One Music - One God. It informs both listener and performer about African music and its relationship to Western polyphony and captures the eternal and spiritual soul of music. It is an event, a celebration of power and energy, both visual, aural and multi-cultural, now performed live all over the world. For David Fanshawe there are no musical barriers.

African Sanctus is an unorthodox setting of the Latin Mass harmonised with traditional African music recorded by the composer on his now legendary journeys up the River Nile (1969-73). The taped music from Egypt, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya is heard in counterpoint with the live chorus, soprano soloist and instrumental ensemble. The work is composed in 13 movements and reflects geographically the composer's cross-shaped pilgrimage, from the Mediterranean to Lake Victoria, whereby Kyrie represents Cairo and Sanctus Northern Uganda.
David Fanshawe

History

African Sanctus (originally known as African Revelations) was first performed by the Saltarello Choir in July 1972 at St. John's Smith Square, London, and later broadcast on BBC Radio on United Nations Day. In 1974, BBC Television's 'Omnibus' made a documentary film of African Sanctus on location in North and East Africa. This film, directed by Herbert Chappell, nominated for the 'Prix Italia', was first screened on Easter Day, 1975 and coincided with the release of the original Philips recording.

The score was first published in 1977 and premiere performances were given in Toronto, at The Three Choirs Festival, Worcester Cathedral in 1978, followed by the Royal Albert Hall in 1979, conducted by Sir David Willcocks. Since then the work has gained steady momentum in the choral repertoire - literally hundreds of live performances have taken place worldwide.

David Fanshawe

David Fanshawe, a Churchill Fellow and the recipient of many international awards, is a composer and explorer, ethnomusicologist, sound recordist, guest speaker, photographer, author and media personality. He is acclaimed as one of the world's most original composers.