Rediscoveries
for Multiple Voices
2025
To rediscover is the "act of finding or remembering some thing or someone again after losing or forgetting about them for a long time". (Cambridge Dictionary) To rediscover can also mean to reveal (something hidden) or obtain (get something back). Within the word 'Discovery' is the word 'cover' which apart from meaning a protection or concealment, in music a cover refers to a remake, reinterpretation or revival of an existing song. A darker meaning refers to white musicians in the 20th century copying an original song by a black musician which in doing so, conceal the original black version and authorship.
Rediscoveries for Multiple Voices is a collection of songs alluding to the above etymological roots and definitions linked to the word "rediscovery". In the most general sense, these songs are covers of original versions. However, they are also reinterpretations that bring out new associations and discover new meanings. In this way, they repurpose the original songs by placing them into new contexts. In music there are many examples where one piece of music repurposes or responds to a previously written music composition creating a type of recontextualisation. Apart from the above mentioned cover version, a repurposing of existing material can include the quodlibet, parody mass, mashup, remix, or satirical songs based on parody or the arrangement. Each of these adopts a different relationship between the original and the repurposed music.
The music presented here adopts a multitude of textures and approaches for musical repurposing. For example: contrapuntal and variation techniques, various types of melodic elaboration, musical quotation or arrangement. The textures and styles allude to Medieval, Renaissance, Baroque periods and more modern times. While these songs can be grouped under the general title "Meta-music" (music about music), the intertextual relationships resulting from the juxtaposition of various song texts make the term rediscovery an appropriate choice in describing their intention.
Note: these songs use voice samples from the Note performer plug in.
Both sides now (Lyrics)
Based on Joni Mitchell's song Both sides now. Harmonically the song uses extended jazz harmonies (9ths, 11th's and 13ths). The melody from Both sides now is treated as a type of cantus firmus embedded within polyphonic settings alluding to the Parody Mass form and 15th century Flemish polyphony
Desire and Hope (Lyrics)
Based on Desire by Ryan Adams and Puccini's Humming Chorus. Original music by Richard Vella. This repurpose combines the poem 'Hope is a thing with feathers' by Emily Dickinson, the lyrics from 'Desire' by Ryan Adams, Puccini's Humming Chorus with an original song by Richard Vella called 'Time is an endless road'. It comments on desire and hope and their relation to time.
Bridges (Lyrics)
Based on Bridge over troubled Water by Paul Simon with original music by Richard Vella. This repurpose combines excerpts from 'Bridge over troubled water', the poem 'Faith is a bridge without piers' by Emily Dickinson, with an original song by Richard Vella titled 'Songs are bridges'. Bridges sings about the belief we have in a song's ability to express humanity, but sadly they get forgotten. The music alludes to the medieval melody and drone form, gospel, and Baroque polyphony.
. . . because of Aristotle (Lyrics)
Original music by Richard Vella. Because I love you (J. Keyes & D. Ford 1971) is by the band Master's Apprentices. Referring to Bluegrass music at the beginning, the lyrics for this song are about reconciling one's daily actions with the ethics of Aristotle and what it means to be a good person. The reference to the chorus of the song 'It's because I love you' transforms the music into a quasi Hallelujah chorus alluding to the polyphonic styles of Monteverdi and Palestrina.
The following works were composed for various contexts. They are included here as there are many similarities to the theme of rescription.
Purple Haze (Jimi Hendrix, arranged R.Vella) 2008
Composed for the semi-final of The Battle of the Choirs contest, broadcasted by Channel 7. Purple Haze by Jimi Hendrix is repurposed with split choirs with up to 10 part counterpoint. The arrangement had to be 90 seconds in duration. For more information, click here.
Water Va/Pensiero (Guiseppe Verdi, Richard Vella) 2003.
Composed for The Ten Tenors album Larger than Life (Warners). The remixes an orginal Country song with Verdi's Va, pensiero.
Frozen (Henry Purcell, Richard Vella) 2002
Composed for Tales of Love. Mixes gospel with Purcell's 'What power art thou' from his opera King Arthur. For more information, click here.
Crying (Roy Orbison, arranged R.Vella) 2015
Roy Orbison's song Crying is immersed within allusions to the polyphonic textures of from the Baroque era. Recording uses vocal samples from Note Performer plug in.
Earlier examples