Polyphony to explore the power of music July 12

Music can move us from darkness to light.

Polyphony: Voices of New Mexico is performing a suite of songs at the Cathedral of St. John on Friday, July 12.

The varied program was designed to demonstrate the need for musicians, poets and artists in American culture if we are to survive as a species, said founding artistic director Maxine Thévenot.

Polyphony to explore the power of music July 12

The underlying themes move from the angels among us to the power of music and the need for a positive spirit to overcome life’s challenges.

The concert will open with “Offrande” for cello and organ by the late Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho.

“It sets the listeners’ ears up for a world of music that grew from a state of darkness,” Thévenot said.

Scottish composer James MacMillan’s “Sacred Songs,” set to three 1990 poems by Ariel Dorfman.

“The poems explain political oppression in Latin America using religious texts from the requiem Mass,” Thévenot said.

“It’s a combination of Spanish, English and Latin,” she added. Noted New York City organist Stephen Tharp will perform the piece accompanied by the choir.

The concert will feature the world premiere of Cecilia McDowall’s “Year of the Horse,” commissioned in memory of Roan Mulholland, who died suddenly at the age of 19. Mulholland was the daughter of a choir member and her death is still unexplained. The work is set to poetry by the London-based poet Kate Wakeling and features Amy Huzjak on cello. The music features flashes of flamenco and the flavors of Spain. In Chinese culture, the Year of the Horse is associated with power, beauty and freedom.

“Roan was born in the Year of the Horse,” Thévenot said.

The choir also will sing two arrangements of the spirituals “Go Down Moses” and “Steal Away” by the British composer Michael Tippett, transitioning to lighter fare.

The choir will sing the New Mexico premiere of “Holding the Light” by African American composer B.E. (Brittney) Boykin, accompanied by pianist Nate Salazar.

All the musicians will perform Canadian composer Sarah Quartel’s “Snow Angel,” with Alexis Corbin on percussion.

The program will end with three works by unaccompanied choir.

Frank Ticheli’s “Earth Song” sends a message that despite the darkness and pain and strife, we will continue to sing, Thévenot said.

James Runestad’s “Let my love be heard” asks the angels of heaven to soar and take our grief and turn it into love.

The late Stephen Paulus conveyed a simple message in “The Road Home”: that along the way of life we will become lost and move away from our true selves, reminding listeners to return home to our true selves.

Paulus wrote the music for the Santa Fe Opera production “Shoes for the Santo Niño.”