| Hailed by Stanley Kubrick as absolutely one of the great films of all time, Lindsay Anderson s stylish, surrealistic, uncompromising and confrontational film IF... encapsulated the revolutionary atmosphere of the sixties; and four decades on has lost none of it s power to astonish and provoke. Malcolm McDowell (of whom IF... made a star), suggested the bewitching, other-worldly music of Sanctus from the Missa Luba, a version of the Latin Mass based on traditional Congolese songs, which establishes the film s very particular atmosphere. IF... captured the public’s imagination beyond any ones expectation and the memorable Sanctus subsequently became a chart hit. Father Haazen formed Les Troubadours du Roi Baudouin, a choir, with percussion section, consisting of about 45 boys from 9 to 14 years old, and 15 teachers. The Missa Luba is pure Congolese. It is completely void of any modern, western musical influences. None of it is written. Certain rhythms, harmonies and embellishments are spontaneous improvisations. This edition, comprising the mass and native songs of the Congo, is the first complete restoration of the original album first released in 1963.
|
