What is John Zorn's 'Jumalattaret' about?

'Jumalattaret' is a musical work inspired by the Finnish epic 'Kalevala,' functioning as a vocal seance where the singer embodies various spirits and goddesses.

Why did Barbara Hannigan find 'Jumalattaret' challenging?

Barbara Hannigan described a multi-year study period for 'Jumalattaret' that induced a state of panic, indicating its extreme difficulty.

What is the Kalevala?

The Kalevala is the national epic poem of Finland, a collection of mythological and folkloric poetry that inspired John Zorn's 'Jumalattaret'.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Hannigan's 'Panic': Zorn's Epic Vocal Journey

Hannigan's 'Panic': Zorn's Epic Vocal Journey

9 Dec

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Summary

Soprano Barbara Hannigan found Zorn's 'Jumalattaret' cause for multi-year panic.
John Zorn's work draws inspiration from Finland's national epic, the Kalevala.
Hannigan seamlessly shifted between personas with primal vocalizations.

Hannigan's 'Panic': Zorn's Epic Vocal Journey

Soprano Barbara Hannigan, known for premiering over 100 works, admitted to experiencing significant distress while studying John Zorn's "Jumalattaret." This ambitious piece, inspired by the Finnish national epic "Kalevala," is described as a musical seance, invoking spirits and goddesses through sound. Hannigan's performance was a remarkable feat of vocal transformation, shifting between varied personas with yelps, cries, and moans, anchored by Bertrand Chamayou's sorcerous piano accompaniment.

Zorn's 2012 score intricately weaves elements of folk songs, rock grooves, plainchant, and jazz scat singing, fragmenting them into a unique sonic tapestry. The intimate collaboration between Chamayou's percussive piano and Hannigan's virtuosic vocals created a captivating and primal listening experience. The program also featured Messiaen's "Chants de Terre et de Ciel," a work that shares spiritual intensity with Zorn's composition, showcasing Hannigan's mastery of both primal and tender vocal expressions.