Stephen Hatfield: Living in a Holy City

  
If you loved Jabula Jesu, this one is the next step. Cultures all over the world start out placing the divine on mountaintops, until the revelation comes that all the land you see below you is divine as well. That is the theme of this piece, which reminds us that all cities are holy. The music incorporates my favourite technique of superimposed ostinati that slowly unfold like a kaleidoscope pattern. Excellent for opening or closing a concert, or commemorating any group endeavour. There is a South African flavour, but the piece uses the style as a launching pad into something beyond. Tuneful, rhythmic, with every section getting lots of goodies. Suitable for sacred and secular gatherings both. Every choir that's done this to date has told me the audience/congregation went wild. (Stephen Hatfield)