Founded by alumnus Tom Herring (Merton, 2013), SANSARA has released its new album in the midst, in which the choir joins forces with United Strings of Europe.
The programme is built around two musical pillars: Caroline Shaw’s To the Hands, with its guiding question ‘what are these wounds in the midst of our hands?’, and The Journey by Houtaf Khoury. The disc explores the themes of forcible displacement from homes, perilous journeys, and the search for places of safety. Finding refuge depends on the kindness of others - individuals, communities and nations. But the longing for sanctuary is not always met with open arms.
Through this music, and additional works by Hildur Guðnadóttir, Piers Connor Kennedy and Thomas Tallis, In the midst provides not only an offering of musical solidarity, but an invitation to reflect on our role in creating spaces of sanctuary.
You can attend a performance of music from the album at the Barbican's Milton Court on Saturday 14 December. SANSARA will be joined by United Strings of Europe as well as Syrian oud master Basel Saleh.
Listen to the album on your preferred platform
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Image credit Matthew Johnson