Luciano Berio - Coro (1980)

Italian composer Luciano Berio (1925-2003) might have been particularly notable for his use of electronics, but here's something equally striking that's purely choral-orchestral.  Completed in 1977, Coro runs continuously for nearly an hour, packing in folk lyrics from around the world (sung by soloists) and poetry by Pablo Neruda (sung in chorus) into 31 sections.  The vast array of languages that the texts draw from were translated by Berio to just Italian, French, Spanish, English and German.

Berio took inspiration from the contemporary turmoil in Italy, and the work returns several times to the Neruda line "Come and see the blood in the streets".  In terms of the listening experience, Coro is dense and powerful, especially when the 40 voices and 40 instruments all come together, and took me a few listens to navigate.  It runs on its own internal logic, often reusing bits of text in different contexts, and the massed climaxes with the Neruda text maintain the dramatic momentum.  Hugely rewarding stuff for deep listening.

Original LP cover, 1980

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Also recommended at SGTG:
Luigi Nono: Como Una Ola De Fuerza Y Luz