Songs of Angels: ORA Singers

The ORA Singers, a distinguished 20-voice ensemble under the direction of Suzy Digby, have commissioned a compelling tribute to Renaissance composer Orlando Gibbons on the 400th anniversary of his passing. This ambitious project offers a multifaceted listening experience that bridges centuries of choral tradition with contemporary creativity.

At the core of the program are Gibbons’ surviving sacred anthems, ten in number, alongside several shorter compositions that showcase his mastery of polyphonic vocal writing. These pieces provide a foundational portrait of the early 17th-century English choral landscape, highlighting Gibbons’ refined craftsmanship and melodic clarity.

Augmenting the historical repertoire, the project features new works by four contemporary British composers—Marco Galvani, Cecilia McDowall, Nicola LeFanu, and Will Todd—each contributing original “reflections” on Gibbons’ style and thematic material. These brief compositions, while varied in their individual approaches, maintain a respectful dialogue with the Renaissance idiom, underscoring the enduring influence of Gibbons’ harmonic language.

Perhaps the most distinctive element within the program is the inclusion of jazz-influenced reinterpretations crafted by Harry Baker, an accomplished composer and pianist at the forefront of innovative choral arranging. Baker’s contributions introduce subtle, contemplative keyboard elaborations that reimagine Gibbons’ hymnic melodies, infusing them with contemporary rhythmic and harmonic textures without overshadowing their historic essence.

Under Digby’s assured leadership, the ORA Singers navigate the intricate polyphony with remarkable precision and cohesion. The vocal ensemble exhibits a clear delineation of independent lines, balanced blending, and impeccable intonation, bringing both the original Renaissance works and modern compositions to vivid life.

The recording session took place in a spacious church venue in North London, chosen for its warm acoustic properties that complement the choir’s tonal richness. Engineer Mike Hatch captured the performances with clarity and subtle reverberation, avoiding excessive ambiance to preserve the intimacy and detail of the vocal textures.

This comprehensive 77-minute program stands as a thoughtful homage that not only venerates Orlando Gibbons’ legacy but also demonstrates how historical music can inspire new artistic expressions across genres and generations. Through the combined efforts of Digby, the ORA Singers, and the contributing composers, the project presents a nuanced exploration of choral music’s evolving dialogue.

While specific details of the release format remain limited, the endeavor signals a noteworthy addition to the choral discography commemorating one of England’s pivotal Renaissance composers. It invites listeners to engage with Gibbons’ music anew, enriched by contemporary perspectives that respect tradition while embracing innovation.

Overall, the ORA Singers’ tribute encapsulates a unique convergence of early music scholarship and modern creative impulse, reaffirming the vitality of choral music as a living, adaptive art form.