Following a worldwide search, Universal Music has discovered what may be the lowest human singing voice in existence. Tim Storms has been chosen from some 400 applicants to sing on composer Paul Mealor’s new Russian orthodox setting of De Profundis for Decca Records album ‘Tranquillity’. The work requires a low E, over two octaves below middle C. Although several auditioning singers were able to reach the note, for Storms the E was effortless, as he is able to sing a full octave below this.

The E is six notes below the lowest note ever written for a choral work (in Rachmaninov’s All-Night Vigil) and a tone lower than the Guinness World Record-holder – a sung F sharp.

Singers auditioning for the ‘Bass Hunter’ search submitted demo recordings and uploaded their voices to website howlowwillyougo.com. Entries were then judged by Paul Mealor and album producer Anna Barry.

'My setting of De Profundis calls for a rich and powerful voice; a voice that can not only touch the heart with its sincerity and truth, but also make every fabric of the human body resonate as it plunges into the very lowest parts of the vocal spectrum,' said Mealor.

The disc was recorded in St Petersburg with Storms and the St Petersburg Chamber Choir, and is due for release on August 20.