The choral book for vocal ensemble and keyboard instruments by the Argentine-German composer Mauricio Kagel (1931/Buenos Aires – 2008/Cologne) is a very unusual work. Unusual because the composer puts together a collection of 53 chorales in alphabetical order, but leaves the performing choir free to decide which of the chorales are sung in which order or repetition and in what combination with works by other composers. Under no circumstances should all 53 pieces appear, according to Kagel in his introduction. The choir book is unusualalso in Kagel's compositional handling of Bach's chorales, which form the musical basis for his work. The chorales by Johann Sebastian Bach chosen by Kagel are played by the keyboard instruments - a grand piano and a harmonium - in a non-linear transposition, while the choir sings the chorale compositions by Mauricio Kagel. The composer noted numerous peculiarities in the score: He asks the singers to chant, to scream or to sing in a particularly low register; He also suggested the use of megaphones, for example, and facial expressions, gestures and theatrical actions should be elements of the performance.
Mauricio Kagel belonged to the European avant-garde in the 1960s and holds an important place among the composers of the second half of the 20th century. In addition to numerous compositions for orchestra, radio plays and films, he also wrote a great deal of choral music in his very own tonal language. The choir book was created between 1975 and 1978.
The conductor Florian Helgath presents his choir book version with the motets Singet dem Herrn ein Neues Lied , The Spirit helps our weakness and Come, Jesus, come forward by Johann Sebastian Bach.
