Composer Enda Bates inspired by ancient tradition

Enda Bates was inspired by Sardinian music for his new work being unveiled in Cork, writes Nicki ffrench Davis

COMPOSER Enda Bates’s new work, ‘Euphony’, will receive its premiere performance on Friday at the Cork International Choral Festival. Bates also has a work in the recent publication, Choirland, which will be presented by the National Chamber Choir on Saturday.

Bates describes ‘Euphony’ as “a very non-choral choral piece”. “It is inspired by the Sardinian cantu a tenore style,” he says. “That music is really unusual, especially in a European folk music context. It is sung in very close harmony in a very idiosyncratic style using guttural voices which produce overtones. It is a very, very rare style and I was entranced by it when I came across it three or four years ago. I have been devouring it ever since.