Commissioned by chor.com 2021, Michael Ostrzyga, together with choir director Cornelius Trantow, endeavored to specifically develop choir music that is easy to moderately difficult and innovative and appealing. This resulted in three impactful miniatures besides ventures that have not (yet) been pursued further: by the numbers, Crossing the Bar and Farout (2018 VG18). Even if they could not be more different, they are fascinating and at the same time accessible for choirs and listeners alike.
by the numbers is a virtuoso bravura piece with driving meters and rhythms in which the choir is mentally synchronized with each other by counting together.