From the Library: Vox Humana

The Choir at York Minster

Today we feature the original musical instrument: the human voice, through several forms of vocal music that demonstrate the versatility and beauty of the voice, primarily in the form of multiple voices.

The collection is eclectic (ranging from the Middle Ages to the present), but not exhaustive. There is a range of choral music from Tallis onwards; modern choral-style performances from the likes of Libera, Welsh folk-choirs, and there are folk ensembles like Coope, Boyes and Simpson, and Chumbawamba. There is a small selection of solo vocal music, ranging from the Martin Best Mediaeval Ensemble to Eva Cassidy, but most of the works you'll be hearing today are from multiple voices, often in close harmony.

Some styles have been deliberately excluded, notably Opera, which deserves a day all of its own.

And of course, it's Saturday, so do join us at 11am and 7pm Pacific Time (19:00 and 03:00 in the UK) for the latest instalments of our ZBS Radio Hour series: Dreams of Rio followed at the half-hour by Ruby 3: The Invisible World.

Today's programme is presented by Elrik Merlin and produced by gullar sahir in conjunction with the Alexandrian Free Library Consortium of Second Life. You can listen to the programme now at http://loudcity.com/stations/radio-riel/tune_in; outside the US, tune to http://main.radioriel.org in-world, or simply click here if your browser is configured to launch a player automatically.

For more information on the Alexandrian Free Library, current exhibits and the work of Consortium members in general, please visit the Alexandrian Free Library website, or one of their branches in-world.