At work most days I find myself revisiting the twelve minute excerpt of David Lang's "The Little Match Girl Passion." I love the way the voices edge in at the beginning. Single soprano, then two. Drumbeat/tenor/bass. The tenor gasping and stuttering his single word; the bass sounding out low and disinterested as a foghorn; the women's voices plinking off one another. The shrill plea for help rising and rising and rising until it shatters. Later: a sad, piercing repetition of "dearest heart."

Anyway, it's a lovely piece. Thought I'd share.