music
Monochromatic Light (Afterlife) review
Sorey/BBC Singers/Tines/Gibson/GBSR DuoSt Giles’ Cripplegate, LondonThe Pulitzer-winner’s sprawling amalgam of Morton Feldman and African American spiritual felt meandering, but the GBSR duo, the BBC Singers and Ruth Gibson’s viola were luminous and charismatic
TL;DR
- Monochromatic Light (Afterlife) by Tyshawn Sorey is an 80-minute meditation inspired by Morton Feldman's Rothko Chapel.
- The work uses a similar ensemble and abstract dialogue of rhythms and pitches, eventually revealing a connection to "Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child".
- The European premiere featured the BBC Singers, bass-baritone Davóne Tines, violist Ruth Gibson, and GBSR Duo (George Barton and Siwan Rhys).
- The performance was noted for the pure blend of the BBC Singers, the characterful singing of Tines, charismatic viola playing from Gibson, and the tireless communication of GBSR Duo.