Leonard Salzedo

I wrote this work for Jennifer Paull during the summer of 1996. The Canto, which dates back to the 10th Century, was very famous in the Middle Ages.

Originally, it was sung in Latin, but from the 13th Century in either Castilian or Catalan. Until the 15th Century it was sung by a single voice but, from then onwards, by four voices. The usual date for the ceremony was Christmas Night. While the choir sang the words of the Sybill-or Oracle-there was an elaborate ceremony.

First of all, a group of six would emerge in highly embroidered, oriental feminine costumes. Behind these six-who represented the Sybill-followed another four, two of whom were dressed with alba and wide stoles symbolising angels . In their hands, they carried daggers held high. The other two in choir costumes, holding burning torches, form a small procession near the Presbytary while the original six sing the Canto. When this is finished, the others brandish the daggers in the air. Meanwhile, the choir responds with the refrain - this is repeated several times.

In this piece, I have represented the atmosphere of this ancient ceremony, paraphrasing one of the old plainsong melodies.

Leonard Salzedo
1997

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