Blog: Choral & Current
Thoughts on Kontakion
In 1997 Chor Leoni commissioned Vancouver composer, Rupert Lang, to write a piece that would be featured in our annual Remembrance Day concerts. That commission resulted in Kontakion. The direction was to have some kind of audience sing-along aspect to the work, so Rupert incorporated a refrain that is repeated several times throughout the piece. That refrain is initially stated by a tenor soloist, and I’ve been honoured to be that particular singer.
I also sing with the Christ Church Cathedral choir, which Rupert directs. Shortly after the male choir version premiered he re-voiced Kontakion for mixed choirs and it was published by Boosey & Hawkes. The piece has gone on to choral fame around the world. (It’s on the Cathedral Choir’s CD, Celebrate!)
In addition to Chor Leoni’s Remembrance Day performances, Kontakion has been performed at state events such as the memorial service for Princess Diana, the Vancouver service after 9/11, annually for All Souls Day, and at intimate funerals.
Between Chor Leoni and the Cathedral Choir I’ve sung that opening statement countless times now. I love its deceptive simplicity (it sits in a fairly treacherous tenor range) and the way the melody lifts to the high G flat on “life” - which by then does feel like it is everlasting!
I feel privileged to sing it, but what I didn’t count on was that whole “ageing thing” and the way the piece has become freighted with meaning as the years layer on experience. Whether it’s from the passing of an admired public figure, the parent of a fellow singer, my best friend, or my father, Kontakion has become layered with memories that are difficult to contain while maintaining any sense of the necessary singing technique to successfully negotiate it well. (One year I lost it completely and ended up singing with tears running down my cheeks.)
Singers learn tricks to get through such emotional moments - I think of doing the dishes - but nothing ever really prepares me for the climactic moment where the pipe organ swells, the choral texture thickens, the audience is in full voice singing along, and the solo line echos The Last Post.
I’m proud that Kontakion happened because of Chor Leoni, and thankful to Rupert for writing such a wonderful piece of music. So this year when the opportunity arrives, sing out, even if it’s with a lump in your throat. It’s wonderfully cathartic – and everyone around you will understand.
Bruce Hoffman, second tenor
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Comments:
Fabulous post Bruce! I never get tired of singing this unbelievable piece, and every time it brings me to tears. I too thank Chor Leoni for the commission, and Rupert for his very special gift!!
Posted by: susanne Sulzberger | November 2, 2009 I 9:53 PM
Lovely post, Bruce. The one occasion I got to sing it with the cathedral choir was possibly the most emotional moment of singing I shared with you guys, and I remember that lump in the throat feeling well, even though it didn't hold the same memories and associations for me as it does for you and many other people in the choir. But I felt really privileged to have the opportunity to perform it once, and you've reminded me I must listen to it again.
When I got back to Australia, by the way, I played the CD to my mum and in Kontakion she commented on 'that amazing tenor' - she has a bit of a soft spot for tenors! :-)
Posted by: Bron | November 2, 2009 I 8:37 PM
Bruce, thanks for your thoughts on "Kontakion". Yes, it's an amazing piece, and speaking for myself, I don't think I could sing it too often. (But then, I don't have to manage the solo line!) There is one thing that concerns me. A quick Google search on "lang kontakion" gets 8,330 hits. A fair percentage of those hits on the first few pages reflect performances within the last year or so. "Kontakion" is apparently gaining some traction throughout North America, and even in Europe. But Rupert's royalty cheques from Boosey & Hawkes apparently aren't reflecting that popularity. That makes me wonder how many of those choirs have bought one copy and made photocopies for the members of the choir that performed the piece. It's one thing to suggest that the publisher can live without the revenue (ultimately, it can't!), but when the music gets photocopied, the artist who conceived the work also loses out. That shouldn't happen. Thankfully, I know that Chor Leoni purchases all the music it performs and does not use photocopies.
Posted by: Rob M. | November 2, 2009 I 2:34 PM