It’s a matter of chants

THE Australian Voices choir will perform an eclectic chant-inspired program of songs for its Voices at the Asylum Festival of Voices concert at Port Arthur next month.

The full 27-member choir will perform songs from its soon-to-be-released recording, ranging from Swedish cow-herding songs to 12th century composer Hildegard von Bingen’s O Ignee Spiritus, and a Tibetan folk song.

In line with the choir’s ethos of performing new Australian music, there will be songs by Australian composers, including choir conductor Gordon Hamilton and didgeridoo player William Barton.

“William has arranged a very old Aboriginal song of welcome,

Kalkadunga Yurdu,” Hamilton said. “He’s included some amazing throbbing didgeridoo rhythms he sings into the instrument.” Hamilton’s own work, Turing

Believes Machines Think, is a setting of part of one of the last letters early computer scientist Alan Turing wrote to friends after he was convicted of “gross indecency’’ for having a relationship with a man.

“He was a fascinating person who was brilliant, and his story is so incredibly sad and tragic,” Hamilton said.

“He was persecuted by the British government, which he served in World War II, with his work on computers helping to crack the German codes.

“Towards the end of his life he was convicted and chemically castrated, which changed his personality, and he committed suicide.

“The setting conveys a sense of hopelessness and sadness, as well as a machine-like precision.” The Tibetan folk song, Heart

Sutra, provides a complete contrast.

“It’s a really joyous dance-like tune about enlightenment,” Hamilton said.

“It’s a bit like a party, a rhythmic upbeat celebration of the soul.”

The Australian Voices and the Peninsula Singers will perform at Port Arthur from 6pm on July 9, with the concert followed by a gourmet barbecue buffet. Tickets are $70.

The Australian Voices will join the Choir of St James for the

Enchantment concert at Hobart Town Hall on July 10. Tickets are $35 for adults and $28 concession, available from www.festivalofvoices.com