The Monk Watches The Eagle

Keith Tippett was commissioned to write this work for the 2004 Norwich and Norfolk Festival, where it received its premier (and to date only) performance, together with a broadcast by BBC Radio 3.

It is a beautiful and stirring work for large choir, saxophone octet, and solo improvising voice. Whilst clearly referencing the great polyphonic choral music tradition, Keith's score also enables improvisational elements to be present - in such a skilful way that the listener is left with the impression of a very unified piece despite the diversity of approaches which a close listen to the work reveals.