In her challenging and atmospheric work Shàng Shàn Ruò Shui, composer and pianist Rosita Piritore works with sound textures that are repeatedly pierced by individual whispered syllables. This work is highly suitable for ambitious amateur choirs looking for an introduction to contemporary music.

The rehearsal process is aided by the work’s manageable length and clear structure in very short sections. Rosita Piritore borrowed the text for her work from the Tao Te Ching, a collection of inspir...