Description

In 1964, Emil Petrovics (1930-2011) arranged two verses for mixed choir from Sándor Weöres’s early rhythm exercises, Himfy Stanzas. Like a choral rhapsody, this two-movement work, Metropolis, juxtaposes the idyll of the night and the hustle and bustle of early morning workers. The title Metropolis appears first as a counterpoint to the peace of the countryside, then as a home for work, factories, and a vibrant affirmation of life. Both movements share the effective use of the mixed choir as well as the prominent use of imitation and dynamic increases built up through repetition. Larger choirs will indeed find a demanding and rewarding piece of repertoire in this work byPetrovics.