Talbot: Sunstone

Acclaimed composer Joby Talbot has created a breathtaking choral setting of Octavio Paz’s 1957 poem “Piedra de sol” (Sunstone), performed by the Grammy-winning choir Conspirare under the artistic direction of Craig Hella Johnson. The poem draws on the symbolism of the Aztec calendar stone and is unique in its kind. It employs the techniques of modern poetry, particularly surrealist imagery, to reflect on cyclical time and the possibility of escaping its grasp through poetry and love. It had a profound emotional impact on Joby Talbot; he admires the poet's vision and the cosmic immensity of the imagery. The seventy-minute musical structure mirrors the poem’s narrative journey—from ecstatic vision through deep despair to ultimate enlightenment. It is characterized by a wide range of vocal textures, extended passages of complex rhythmic interplay, exposed solo passages for a single voice, as well as episodes in which blocks of sound reflect the startling imagery of the poem. The marimba (superbly played by Thomas Burritt) defines much of the music; it anchors the harmonies and the rhythm and contributes to the otherworldly character of the musical palette.

London-born Joby Talbot has composed for voice and choir, setting poems, sacred and historical texts for various ensembles. Central to Talbot’s work are his compositions for stage and film. He is known for the operas “Everest” (2014) and “The Diving Bell” (2020), as well as his collaborations with leading choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, for instance on the original, full-length narrative ballet adaptations of “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” (2010) and “Oscar” (2024), about Oscar Wilde. He has also worked as a composer for major feature films.

Conspirare is a professional choir under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson. Inspired by the power of music to change lives, this ensemble brings together singers from around the world who blend their voices to offer extraordinary live musical experiences and world-class recordings.