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A painting by Nicolaas Maritz for the choral composition Genesis by South African composer Hendrik Hofmeyr.
February 18, 2020

Genesis by Hendrik Hofmeyr

Biblical Choral Composition

This challenging work for a cappella choir employs several techniques to depict the creation of the universe as described in Genesis I.

These techniques include overtone singing, whispering and aleatoric clouds of sound. It was selected to represent South Africa at the opening of the BRICS Conference in Moscow in 2015.

Hofmeyr has engaged the possibilities within the setting of the text by adopting programmatic elements and madrigalisms through melody, harmony, structure, and the use of extended vocal techniques.

Sung by the Cape Town Youth Choir・Directed by Leon Starker

Text

In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.

And the earth was without form, and void;

and darkness was upon the face of the deep.

And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

And God said, let there be light, and there was light.

And God saw the light, that it was good.

Listen to Genesis by South African Composer Hendrik Hofmeyr