Like many I suspect, I was first exposed to this piece by its use in the film If… I saw this in the Irish Film Centre (which is how I will always think of the Irish Film Institute) not necessarily expecting much … being a little resistant to the “cult film” in general and to the self-consciously rebellious in particular. If… was a revelation however, a far more subtle and powerful counter-cultural work than most 1960s products.
While many roughly contemporary films were using psychedelic or avant garde music, If… deployed this children’s choir from Congo to stunning effect:
Here is a montage of If.. clips set to the piece:
Séamus Sweeney 