Tenebrae Builds Choral Sound on a Bass Foundation
Director Nigel Short explains how the group’s pyramid structure creates the intonation for its upcoming Louisville performance.
By Gabriela Ivanov ·
Nigel Short, founder and director of the professional English choir Tenebrae, constructs the ensemble’s sound from the ground up using a literal pyramid structure. He states that strong bass voices provide the foundation for the group’s rich tone. As the voices climb higher in the register, Short seeks an increasingly light and flexible quality. He explains that this balance yields better intonation and generates harmonics that make the performance room buzz.
The choir has performed in celebrated venues worldwide, including Wigmore Hall and the Elbphilharmonie. The ensemble has also sung for distinguished audiences, such as Queen Elizabeth II and the royal family. During its American tour this year, Tenebrae performed at St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City and at Yale University’s Woolsey Hall. The group is now traveling to Louisville to continue its schedule.
Short discusses the unexpected origins of Tenebrae during a recent conversation. He reflects on how his early training as a boy chorister and his later experience with The King’s Singers shaped his approach to choral music. The current touring program serves to mark the 25th anniversary of Tenebrae.
The choir will present The Journey at Second Presbyterian Church. The performance is scheduled for Friday, November 13, at 7:30 p.m.
