The Light of Paradise The Zurich Chamber Singers & sonic.art Saxophone Quartet & Christian Erny

The renowned choir The Zurich Chamber Singers has commissioned a work from Welsh composer Paul Mealor. The result is an impressive and unique project entitled ‘The Light of Paradise’. Under the direction of Christian Erny, who founded the choir in 2015, and in collaboration with the Berlin-based sonic.art saxophone quartet, the work has already been premiered in Switzerland and Germany. The first recording will now be released on the Berlin Classics label on 4 October.

‘The Light of Paradise’ is an hour-long work for choir and saxophone quartet that impressively sets the life of the medieval mystic Margery Kempe (ca. 1373-1448) to music. The texts are based on the ‘Booke of Margery Kempe’, one of the earliest autobiographical writings in literary history and the first ever by a woman. An extraordinary tale about the contrast between freedom and captivity and the tension between piety and humanity. The commissioned work is to be understood less as sacred music and more as a secular, deeply human drama.

Conceived as a choral opera, the work traces Margery Kempe's spiritual journeys and inner struggles in 14 movements. These so-called ‘devotions’ also musically represent the stations of the Way of the Cross. The choir oscillates between ecstatic tuttis and recitative-like solo passages. The Zurich Chamber Singers move seemingly effortlessly between crazy outbursts of spirit and lush diatonic clusters. The ensemble's singers are also convincing in the solo parts. At the end, Paul Mealor grants his protagonist the peace that she has been denied in real life. The piece ends in a radiant C major. Angelic bells ring out for a long time.

‘The Light of Paradise‘ is further proof of The Zurich Chamber Singers’ passion for outstanding choral music. They bring the fascination and depth of Margery Kempe's life to life in a unique way and inspire with dramatic depth and emotional intensity.