Composer Paul Mealor has had a few moments in the spotlight.
For example, his work Ubi Caritas was performed at the Royal Wedding of Kate and William in April 2011. Then, Paul also wrote the 'Coronation Kyrie' for the Coronation of King Charles. Memorably sung by bass-baritone Bryn Terfel (pictured top), it was the first time a Welsh-language work had been performed at a British coronation.
Paul has another distinction to his name: he has also written a piece that includes the lowest note ever included in a choral work.
His work De Profundis features the E more than two octaves below middle C. It is six semi-tones below the note that was previously the lowest ever written in a choral piece – a B flat in Rachmaninov’s Vespers.
The De profundis text comes from one of the penitential psalms and the opening translates – appropriately enough – as 'Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord.'
Mealor has had a life-long interest in chant and choral music, and De profundis pushes the low-end boundaries of the human voice much as Russian orthodox music does.
In spring 2012, De profundis inspired a worldwide search for the lowest human voice in existence. The piece features a low E which, at 329 Hertz, is six notes below the lowest note ever previously written for a choral piece (the latter is a B flat featured in Rachmaninov’s Vespers / All-Night Vigil).
De profundis was then recorded featuring the winner of the competition, Tim Storms (Decca 3709935). It features on the 2012 Decca album Tranquillity, which was recorded with the St Petersburg Chamber Choir.