Active from 1999 | Record label Naxos | |
Albums The Rose in the Middle of Winter, Whitbourn: Luminosity Similar Laurie Ashworth, James Whitbourn, Bob Chilcott, Francis Pott, Grace Davidson Profiles | ||
Commotio is an Oxford-based chamber choir formed in August 1999 to promote neglected contemporary choral repertoire.
Contents
History
The choir's conductor (and founder) is Matt Berry. Berry studied music at University College, Oxford, where he was Organ Scholar and then Assistant Organist. He has studied organ under David Sanger, David Goode and Ian Curror, and choral direction with Patrick Russill.
Commotio's performances have included the 2nd UK concert performance of Alfred Schnittke's Requiem, the World Première of Pierre Villette’s Inviolata and Peter Klatzow’s Prayers and Dances from Africa.
Commotio also promotes and performs the works of a younger generation of composers, most recently Jonathan Bridcut, Richard Allain, Mihyun Woo, Robert Fokkens, John Duggan and Alexander Campkin.
Commotio's debut CD of South African choral music was released in February 2006, followed by a CD for Choir and Cello in February 2008. A track from the latter disc, Richard Allain’s Ubi caritas, was chosen to feature on the Classic FM core playlist and appears in the compilation CD Smooth Classics – the Ultimate Collection. A CD of the music of James Whitbourn was released on the Naxos label in February 2010.
Commotio has commissioned Oxford composer John Duggan, and Richard Allain, and most recently Edward Cowie.
World premières
Written for the choir *
Songs
Song of the CribThe Rose in the Middle of Winter · 2013
Gifts for the Child of WinterThe Rose in the Middle of Winter · 2013
The Heart-in-WaitingThe Rose in the Middle of Winter · 2013