Resonating Cultures: Journeying to Slovenia with KGBL Chamber Choir
In the captivating soundscapes presented by the KGBL Chamber Choir, join me as we uncover how music weaves together the threads of Slovenia’s diverse cultures, evoking a vivid tapestry of emotions and shared human experiences.
Sense of Wander: ★★★★★
The Conservatorium of Music and Balet Ljubljana Chamber Choir, also known as KGBL Chamber Choir, from Slovenia performing at The Taishin International Bank Tower on July 28, 2023.
TAIPEI, Taiwan — I have vivid memories of my time as a choir member back in elementary school — a journey that began in grade 3 and carried on until I completed grade 4. Even after I relocated to North America, singing remained an integral part of my academic experience. I can recall standing alongside my classmates on stage, belting out tunes like “What a Wonderful World” and “Somewhere over the Rainbow”. Nevertheless, as I progressed through junior high school, my bond with choirs and group singing seemed to wane. It wasn’t until recently that the chance to rekindle my connection with choir music emerged, and it was all thanks to the performance of the KGBL Chamber Choir.
The KGBL Chamber Choir, also known as the Conservatorium of Music and Balet Ljubljana Chamber Choir, holds a significant position in the Slovenian choral landscape. On the occasion of the Taipei International Choral Festival 2023, spanning from late June to early August, the ensemble embarked on a journey across Eurasia to serenade the audience in Taiwan.
During their relatively brief stay, I was fortunate enough to attend two of their performances. My initial encounter with their music took place at an afternoon concert within the heart of the city, held at the Taishin Bank Building. Such was the impact of that performance that I promptly secured a ticket for their subsequent evening concert at Taipei’s esteemed National Concert Hall, just a few days later.
Guided by the conductor Ambrož Čopi, the KGBL Chamber Choir has accumulated a treasure trove of accolades from choral festivals across the globe. But what sets their music apart from that of other groups is that the majority of their performed compositions are crafted by Slovenian composers exclusively for the KGBL Chamber Choir. It's through this choir that the budding generation of Slovenian composers finds their stage to unveil their talents.
Kicking off the afternoon concert was the KGBL's rendition of a piece titled "Jubliate Deo, Universa Terra" (2019). From the very first moments, the harmonious singing, complemented by synchronised clapping and a rhythmic tempo, captured my senses. The title and lyrics — both in Latin — signify "shout for joy to God, all the earth," deriving from Psalm 65–66. Even without prior knowledge of the meaning, the music radiated an elevating ambiance, as if extending an open invitation for the entire world to unite in song.
Slovenia's geographical location places it at the crossroads of diverse cultures, religions, and nationalities, acting as a bridge between the East and the West. As a result, KGBL’s repertoire resonated with the religious facets of the region, underlining the coexistence of the nation’s two prominent religions—Catholicism and Orthodoxy. Religious compositions, a recurringmotiftheme in KGBL's performances, took centre stage in the first half of the evening concert aptly titled "Orient - Occident / East - West".
In addition to "Jubliate Deo, Universa Terra," the stage also graced other compositions by Slovenian composer Tina Bec (born 1993), including “Ave Maria”, “Laudate Dominum Omnes Gentes”, and “Deliver Me O Lord”.
"Ave Maria" may seem deceptively simple on the surface, but as the music unfolds, it reveals an intricate richness. The composition conjures the image of a prayer scene gradually unfurling within the sacred confines of a church. Amidst the devoted congregation brought to life by the choir, a lone figure captures our attention. This male tenor, embodying the essence of a single prayer’s innermost thoughts, channels the emotions — encompassing both pain and sorrow — through intricate melodies and delicate notes.
Despite not understanding the language in which it was sung, it’s not dififcult for most people to resonate with this piece. Only later did I come to discover that the composer had written this composition during a period of hospitalisation — a time when this very prayer incessantly reverberated in his mind. In retrospect, it's as if the solitary performance of the male tenor conveyed the composer's own voice — a poignant plea for healing.
"Izhe Kheruvimi", composed by Klara Mlakar (born 1999), drew its inspiration from the composer's muse, Angel Gabriel. As I immersed myself in the composition, its harmonious interplay and the tender murmurs of its melodies stirred a synesthetic response within me. The vivid sensation of encountering a radiant light continues to awe me, even as I write these words. This newfound closeness to synesthesia, where senses intertwine and evoke one another, was unlike anything I had experienced before, and it all unfolded on that very night.
When speaking of light, the sun stands as a potent symbol in Slovenia, reflecting its pagan beliefs. This celestial body also casts its brilliance across a selection of choral pieces presented by KGBL, including “Soleil” by Federica Lo Pinto (born 1997), “Zarja” by Damijan Močnik (born 1967), and “Sine Sole Nihil Sum” by Tadeja Vulc (born 1978).
On the other hand, Slovenian composer Lojze Lebič (born 1934) draws endless inspiration from the country's rich trove of folk songs and traditions. Among his compositions that fascinated me is "Urok," a piece that I consider the zenith of the evening's performance. Crafted from a fusion of Slovenian folk melodies, incantations, and ancient rituals, Lebič’s creation held me spellbound — quite literally — for the rest of the concert.
In “Urok”, members of the choir formed a semi-circular, with the conductor in the middle, evoking a near-ritualistic stance, akin to ancestors gathered around a central fire. Folk motifs came alive through the repetition of brief chants, often murmured or whispered, interwoven with the rhythmic beating of stones. Interspersed among these elements are improvisational sharp cries and eerie wails, permeating the performance like threads that link three incantations warding against swelling, snakebites, and disease.
In this captivating rendition, Lebič orchestrated the choir members to step into the roles of uroki or "little wizards". This primal approach to singing not only evoked a shamanistic ambiance within the classical theatre, but also transported the audience to a reconnection with our bonds to nature. Much like observing a live enactment of a ritual, Lebič has masterfully woven a unique style that blends his passion for contemporary music with the essence of folk practices. This ingenious fusion could very well be attributed to his academic roots in archaeology.
Conductor Ambrož Čopi, also a composer, shared a selection of his own compositions with the Taiwanese audience. Amidst the pieces presented, one has won my heart: Missa Laetitiae (2022), which translates to "Mass of Joy" in English. The opus is divided into five sections, and what particularly struck a chord with me was its infusion of jazz elements, which breathe a vivacious and modern aura into sacred music. Regrettably, the rendition of this composition was exclusive to the afternoon concert and didn’t grace the stage of the prestigious National Concert Hall.
Both musicians and performers who had visited Taiwan would be familiar with the local audience's penchant for encores — an additional performance that artists provide once the planned show concludes. Responding to the extended applause from the attendees, the KGBL Chamber Choir pleasantly surprised us with their rendition of the Taiwanese folk song “Peach Blossom Takes the Ferry” (桃花過渡). This traditional Hakka composition depicts the daily toil of boatmen all the while yearning for marriage.
Along the riverbank, a boatman ferries a young woman across the water. Captivated by her grace, he initiates a playful exchange of teasing and song. The song's shouting phrase, "hey-ya-lo-eh," infuses the performance with a striking and distinct touch, rendering it an excellent selection for choral performance. What I find even more remarkable is the fact that the KGBL Chamber Choir performed the piece without the aid of sheet music, committing all the lines to memory. This is especially noteworthy because the song, primarily recognised among individuals of Hakka ethnicity, might not be readily comprehensible even to many Taiwanese who don't share Hakka heritage.
And as if that weren't enough, following three encores, the KGBL Chamber Choir concluded the performance with a final piece: "Happy Gathering" (快樂的聚會). This composition derives from an indigenous hunting song, portraying the livelihood of the Ita Thaw tribe residing in Nantou County, Taiwan. It beautifully captures their jubilant celebrations and expressions of gratitude to the deities after each triumphant fishing and hunting expedition. The Slovenian ensemble rendered this piece in collaboration with the Taipei-based Octangle Male Choir, with lyrics drawn from the lesser-known ancient words of the tribe.
Spellbound, enthralled, and mesmerised — Taiwan’s audience bear witness to the artistry of the Slovenian choral ensemble, whose music artfully interlaces the threads of Slovenia’s vibrant cultures, evoking a vivid tapestry of emotions and shared human experiences. Through these harmonies, my curiosity about the nation and its people has ignited like never before. Safe to say, Slovenia has earned a top spot on my bucket list now.
Reference:
“Taipei International Choral Festival 2023,” program notes for KGBL Chamber Choir, TICF 23 - KGBL Chamber Choir (Slovenia). Ambrož Čopi, conductor. August 1, 2023, National Concert Hall, Taipei, 23-28.
“Lojze Lebič,” program notes for Peninsula Women's Chorus & Ensemble, Song Gathering: 5th Annual Festival of New Music for Treble Voices. March 10, 2012, All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Palo Alto. Accessed Aug 2, 2023.
As part of the Taipei International Choral Festival 2023 (TIFC23), KGBL Chamber Choir graced the stage of the National Concert Hall in Taipei on Aug 1, 2023.