The Crossing Presents David Lang’s poor hymnal

Having premiered dozens of new works by many of the world’s leading contemporary composers and staging ambitious festivals built around socially relevant themes, The Crossing has become one of the United States’ premier vocal ensembles. They are consummate technicians who, across their two decades, are also aware of the times in which they work. poor hymnal—a 14-piece song cycle by David Lang, premiered during the holidays of 2023—is a perfect example of The Crossing’s dual pillars of excellence and outreach. Built on texts from scripture and political speeches by the likes of Ghandi and Obama, these slowly unfurling hymns are poignant reminders to not only observe the conditions that other people endure but help whenever possible. It is timely work for times of seemingly boundless inequality.

“The Little Match Girl was a miserable and depressing story—people like it, but I always feel guilty that they’re crying at the end,” Lang told Playbill of his 2007 piece, Little Match Girl Passion, which netted a Pulitzer. “poor hymnal is more positive. It reinforces in us the sense that we have the power to be kinder to each other.” Though Lang acknowledges that his compositions are complex, he hopes that these hymns for an idealized and hypothetical religion can be shared beyond the bounds of this world-class vocal ensemble, that they can be used for uplift and solidarity among groups who need them. The Crossing will perform poor hymnal twice at Big Ears 2026, during their first visit to the festival since 2017.