Poster Stephen Layton, conductor
Stephen Layton is the Artistic Director and Principal Conductor of the City of London Sinfonia and the conductor of Polyphony.
Keith Saunders Photography

American choral music from a British point of view

Learning to Listen: American choral music from a British point of view

The choral music tradition in the United Kingdom goes back centuries, first mentioned in a manuscript from the 11th century.

In the United States, however, the choral tradition is much younger, and didn't take hold until the 20th century.

Polyphony
Polyphony was formed by Stephen Layton in 1986 for a concert in King's College Chapel, Cambridge. Since then the choir has performed and recorded regularly to great critical acclaim throughout the world.
Benjamin Ealovega

A British choir named Polyphony has a new recording, American Polyphony, that explores the history of American choral music.

On this week's Learning to Listen, you'll hear from Polyphony's conductor, Stephen Layton, and you'll hear Polyphony sing music by Samuel Barber, Randall Thompson, Aaron Copland and Leonard Bernstein.

Program Playlist

Samuel Barber
The Virgin Martyrs
Polyphony
Stephen Layton
Hyperion 67929

Aaron Copland
Four Motets
Polyphony
Stephen Layton
Hyperion 67929

Samuel Barber
Reincarnations
Polyphony
Stephen Layton
Hyperion 67929

Leonard Bernstein
Missa Brevis
Polyphony
Stephen Layton
Hyperion 67929

Randall Thompson
Alleluia
Polyphony
Stephen Layton
Hyperion 67929

Veljo Tormis
Singing aboard ship
Holst Singers
Stephen Layton
Hyperion 67601

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