Ted Hearne's "Sound from the Bench" is a captivating exploration of contemporary chamber music, released on Cantaloupe Music in 2017. This album, spanning 71 minutes, is a collection of four choral works that delve into complex themes, each piece offering a unique blend of musicality and intellectual depth.
The centerpiece of the album is the titular "Sound from the Bench," a 35-minute cantata that examines the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision. This ambitious work is scored for chamber choir, two electric guitars, and drums, with a libretto by Jena Osman. The five movements of this cantata weave together language from landmark Supreme Court cases and ventriloquism textbooks, creating a thought-provoking and unsettling listening experience. The music is characterized by its bombastic percussion, unbounded vocal polyphony, and glistening textures, showcasing Hearne's innovative compositional style.
In addition to "Sound from the Bench," the album features three other choral works that continue to explore themes of power, privilege, and societal issues. "Ripple" and "Privilege" are multi-movement pieces that, like the title track, combine poetic language with musical complexity to raise oblique questions about contemporary society.
Throughout the album, Ted Hearne demonstrates his versatility and adventurousness, creating a body of work that is both intellectually stimulating and musically engaging. "Sound from the Bench" is a testament to Hearne's unique voice in the world of contemporary chamber music, and it is sure to captivate listeners with its depth and innovation.
