Sonus Chamber Choir Releases Valsson: Missa Cappella
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Kolby Van Camp Artistic Director, Sonus Chamber Choir
director@sonusks.org | +1 (785) 806-0882 | https://sonusks.org
TOPEKA, Kan. (November 30, 2025) — Sonus Chamber Choir has released Valsson: Missa Cappella, a world premiere recording presenting the complete a cappella Mass by Icelandic composer Bragi Þór Valsson. The album marks the first full commercial recording of the work and represents the ensemble’s latest contribution to the documentation of contemporary choral repertoire.
Written entirely for unaccompanied voices, Missa Cappella draws on the harmonic language often associated with Nordic choral music while maintaining a sense of stylistic continuity with earlier sacred repertoire. Valsson’s writing reflects an interest in counterpoint, line, and structural balance, placing the work in conversation with centuries of Mass settings while employing techniques familiar to modern choral performers.
A Contemporary Mass, Unaccompanied
Missa Cappella is conceived as a unified exploration of the Mass Ordinary, treating each movement as part of a larger architectural whole. While the harmonic language is contemporary, the work consistently gestures toward earlier models through its use of contrapuntal writing, clear voicing, and an emphasis on vertical and horizontal clarity.
Rather than relying on extended techniques or overt stylistic effects, Valsson allows the musical material itself to carry expressive weight. The result is a Mass that feels at once grounded and current; an homage to a time when composers regularly returned to the Mass as a primary vehicle for technical rigor, artistic identity, and spiritual reflection.
Performance and Recording
Sonus Chamber Choir approaches Missa Cappella with an emphasis on precision of ensemble, transparency of texture, and balance across the vocal spectrum. Particular attention is given to the interplay between voices, allowing the contrapuntal writing to remain audible without sacrificing warmth of sound.
The album was recorded at Most Pure Heart of Mary Catholic Church by recording engineer Paul Sedler and produced by Kolby Van Camp, Artistic Director of Sonus Chamber Choir, ensuring continuity between interpretive decisions and the final recorded product.
“This work rewards disciplined singing and careful listening,” said Van Camp. “It sits comfortably alongside contemporary choral repertoire while clearly acknowledging the lineage of the Mass as a compositional form.”
Availability
Valsson: Missa Cappella is available now for streaming and download on major digital platforms, including Spotify, Amazon Music, YouTube Music, TIDAL, and Deezer.
Listening links and additional information are available at:
https://sonusks.org/valsson-missa-cappella
Album artwork, press images, and interview requests are available upon request.
About Sonus Chamber Choir
Sonus Chamber Choir is a professional vocal ensemble based in Topeka, Kansas. The ensemble focuses on recording and performing contemporary choral works, with particular attention to clarity of sound, structural integrity, and thoughtful engagement with the choral tradition. Through professional recordings and live performance, Sonus Chamber Choir contributes to the ongoing development and preservation of modern choral literature.