Nico Muhly

Spiral Mass

Spiral Mass is a work by Nico Muhly, composed in 2014, commissioned by Holland Festival and BBC Radio 3. The work is arranged for SATB Chorus and Organ Accompaniment, and lasts around 15 minutes. Spiral Mass received its world premiere on 2nd June 2014 during the Holland Festival by the Nederlands Kamerkoor, conducted by Risto Joost, featuring James McVinnie on Organ. According to Muhly, this compositions is an attempt to set the text of the Latin Mass using a completely different harmonic structure from his previous works. The rhythms and melodies can be seen as circular, rather than linear, becoming evident from both the Organ parts and the choirs initial phrases. As the piece progresses, the dynamic tempo enhances the interplay of all parts, all the while hinting at Stravinskian inspirations.