American composer David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion was specially commissioned by Carnegie Hall for Paul Hillier’s Theatre of Voices musical ensemble. In this deeply affecting and highly imaginative choral work, Lang uses texts from Hans Christian Andersen’s fairy tale “The Little Match Girl,” the Gospel According to Matthew, and Picander’s libretto for J. S. Bach’s St Matthew Passion. The work, about a little girl who is forced to sell matches on the street, struck a chord with audiences worldwide and has since been adapted for chamber ensemble and full chorus as well as for the stage.
Featured On
- Theatre of Voices, Ars Nova Copenhagen & Paul Hillier
- Bryce Dessner, Nico Muhly, Owen Pallett & Shara Worden
- Maya Beiser
- Andrew Zolinsky
- Kimmo Pohjonen, Samuli Kosminen & Kronos Quartet
- Anonymous 4
- Gil Rose, Real Quiet, Boston Modern Orchestra Project, Evan Ziporyn, Felix Fan & Andrew Russo