Published in the “Correo digital”
December/02/2005
The Biotz Alai Choir are to re-release the hymns they
recorded in Paris in 1976.
ARACELI FERNÁNDEZ/GETXO
( Members of the choir with the original vinyl records)
/ P. URRESTI
Three
decades ago a group of 40 singers from the Biotz Alai
Choir in Algorta began a clandestine journey to
Paris. The purpose was to carry out a mission at the
request of Luis María Retolaza, in the name of the
Basque government in exile. The objective was to
record six Basque patriotic hymns in the French
capital, accompanied by orchestra consisting in the
main of Algerian musicians.
The songs recorded were then made into single vinyl records, but their sleeves did not honour the musicians and singers with their names on them. 2000 copies were produced and secretly distributed, and these songs provided the musical soundtrack during a changing and unstable period in time. The choir now wishes to claim authorship of this recording, and so has decided to re-record these pieces anew, a capella, to be released on CD including additional songs.
On sale in October
Txema Batarrita, president of the Biotz Alai, explains that the original recordings were made during one weekend in 1976. Of those who put their voices to the project, only eight remain active in the choir today. However all involved in the choir share the same feeling of excitement about the project, and the wish to bring this important episode of the Biotz Alai’s history out of the shadows.
The new production will be recorded in September and will be commercially released a month later. The project will cost around 6000 euros, half of which will be provided by Getxo Local Council. The Basque government has also promised to provide economic support, while the choir is willing to provide the remainder of the money that the project will entail.
ARACELI FERNÁNDEZ/GETXO
( Members of the choir with the original vinyl records)
/ P. URRESTI
| CLANDESTINOS. |
The songs recorded were then made into single vinyl records, but their sleeves did not honour the musicians and singers with their names on them. 2000 copies were produced and secretly distributed, and these songs provided the musical soundtrack during a changing and unstable period in time. The choir now wishes to claim authorship of this recording, and so has decided to re-record these pieces anew, a capella, to be released on CD including additional songs.
On sale in October
Txema Batarrita, president of the Biotz Alai, explains that the original recordings were made during one weekend in 1976. Of those who put their voices to the project, only eight remain active in the choir today. However all involved in the choir share the same feeling of excitement about the project, and the wish to bring this important episode of the Biotz Alai’s history out of the shadows.
The new production will be recorded in September and will be commercially released a month later. The project will cost around 6000 euros, half of which will be provided by Getxo Local Council. The Basque government has also promised to provide economic support, while the choir is willing to provide the remainder of the money that the project will entail.