Meara O’Reilly, Hockets For Two Voices
David Hicks | Published on 6/25/2024
And now, for something completely different. No, not music from a Monty Python sketch or film, but, “different” this music is.
Hockets were used primarily in vocal and choral music of the 13th and early 14th centuries. They were often found in sacred vocal music and string compositions. However, in the 14th century, this compositional device was most often found in secular vocal music. This secular association (never safe in medieval times) spurred a backlash from the church resulting in laws that outlawed hockets. I could find no information on whether performing hockets resulted in punishment on the rack, or not. Go figure.
Hocketing is, in simple terms, the breaking up of the melody line so that two or more instruments or vocals carry the melody, not by harmonizing, but by each individually expressing the notes without overlapping. This is not something that is confined to ancient music, or unusual vocal pieces, like Ms. O’Reilly’s. You can find examples in contemporary music today from artists as diverse as Herbie Hancock, King Krimson, and others.
And, if you like the music on Hockets For Two Voices you can thank the Pandemic for inspiring this solo recording. Hockets are normally played with at least two voices, but this recording was composed, and singly performed by Ms. O’Reilly with the help of digital recording and layering when gatherings and live performances were shut down at the beginning of the global pandemic. I think the AF foundation should plan on having a live hocket performance of our own with multiple members towards the end of summer to coincide with MF’s visit. Stay tuned, and let Leslie know if you are interested in performing.
I only recently discovered the album through Roon’s radio feature, though it was released on the Cantaloupe Music label in November of 2019. The album stretches out to a total of ten minutes and seven seconds. I found that length to be ideal for the composition. Any longer and…
But, as always, YMMV. Check out the recording for yourself and let me know your thoughts.
The EP was mastered by Grammy-winning engineer Emily Lazar and mixed by Marta Salogni.
You can order a digital copy or a limited edition “high quality 180 gram” 45 rpm 12-inch vinyl record through Meara O'Reilly’s website or Cantaloupe Music.
Also available in Hi-Res on Qobuz: Hockets For Two Voices
And you can see Meara O’Reilly perform a short section in a mirror of Meara’s along with a video interview on YouTube: Meara O'Reilly "Hockets for Two Voices (mvt 7)"
If you’d like to hear Mingjia Chen and Linnea Sablosky giving two different voices to Meara O’Reilly’s music, you can check out this Instagram video here: Meara O'Reilly's Instagram
And I would also recommend you take the time to check out Meara O’Reilly’s blog, Illusionsongs where you can learn about The Whistle Language that is native to the human inhabitants of the Canary Islands, Tuvan Throat Singers, Hollerin’, and other things musically related.