It's been a good musical weekend. Friday I went out to Cohasset to see a couple of my church choir members in a production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. This was well worth the trip! Joseph (one of my tenors) and the Pharaoh (another one of my tenors - yes, I have multiple tenors!) were both fantastic - Joseph in particular had a really charming stage presence and good facial expressions all the way through, in addition to a delightfully easy singing tone. And the Pharoah was appropriately hilarious. I was also blown away by the Narrator, a woman named Ann McCoy. She was totally fantastic. I rather feel she could have a professional career if she wanted to. I had a great time generally, and I have to say that Joseph is a really charming musical -I had forgotten. Somehow, although I have never owned a recording and have never been in the show, I knew all the music. A day later this is still a mystery to me.
Then tonight I went to the Back Bay Chorale's performance of Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choirs. The program was set up to imitate a mass service, so there were other works by French composers interspersed between the mass movements, which provided the overall framework. This worked really well - I thought it was very good programming. And the performance was very well-done. Solo soprano Shannon Salyards was wonderful on a set of pieces by Messiaen. My one quibble is that the soprano sound in the chorus was somewhat strained in the highest register. But I totally enjoyed the concert - really good tuning, good rhythmic accuracy, and a great blend. I hope they made a recording. It was also really nice to just listen to the Martin - I had only ever sung it, and music is different from the outside-in, as opposed to the inside-out!
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 3/13/08
It is supposed to rain this weekend, so dig out those umbrellas, and figure out which concert you're going to go see! Remember, bad weather can really hurt the size of an audience, so it is up to us to counteract that trend! I myself am going to THREE concerts this weekend, and I am involved in NONE of them. This is some sort of record. But it is a very, very rich choral weekend.
Friday:
One of the biggest events this weekend has to be the Cantata Singers performance of Brahms' Requiem. They will be performing on Friday at 8 pm and on Sunday at 3 pm at Jordan Hall. Also on the program will be Ferruccio Busoni's Berceuse élégiaque and Kurt Weill's Concerto for Violin and Wind Instruments (in keeping with their Year of Weill.) The solo singers will be Jennifer Foster and Dana Whiteside. And Richard Dyer will be giving a pre-concert lecture at 6:45 and 1:45 (Friday and Sunday, respectively.) The Cantata Singers are one of the best choruses in Boston, and there is absolutely no doubt that this will be fantastic.
But they have big competition with The Boston Secession, which will perform "Handel in the Strand." "This concert traces the musical inheritance of Handel’s heirs – from the man himself to works by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Weill, Stravinsky and even Percy Grainger." First Church in Cambridge, 8:00 pm. More information is at their website.
More competition comes from the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium, which will present Bach's Mass in b minor on Friday at Sanders Theater at 8 pm. This is also bound to be a special performance. More information is on their website.
Saturday:
For Saturday, the one I'll be choosing is the Back Bay Chorale's performance of Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir. Also on the program are pieces by Messaien and Poulenc. Shannon Salyards is the solo soprano. The Back Bay Chorale is one of my alma...choruses, or whatever the proper term is, and conductor Scott Jarrett is rising fast. Everywhere I turn I hear about people who adore his conducting and rehearsing, and these are sane, level-headed, tough-to-impress people, mind you, not given to hyperbole. He will be giving a pre-concert lecture at 7. The Martin Mass is adored by those who know it, so if you don't yet know it, I recommend you come! Emmanuel Church at 8 pm.
But the Brookline Chorus is presenting a very intriguing alternative. They are presenting J.S. Bach’s two cantatas BWV 19 and 149 and Benjamin Britten’s cantata “The Company of Heaven." Intriguing programming. This is at 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline - more info at their website.
Also on Saturday, Cantemus will be putting on a concert called “Voice of Jazz: Cantemus Swings!” Come hear selections from the Great American Songbook. 7:30 pm, Pingree School, 537 Highland Street, South Hamilton - more information is at their website. They will also present this program on Sunday at 4:00 at The Governor’s Academy, 1 Elm Street, Byfield.
Yet more for Saturday - the Concord Chorus presents the Brahms Zigeunerlieder, along with Stanford and Monteverdi. 8:00 pm at Concord Academy Chapel, 166 Main Street, Concord, MA.
Sunday:
On Sunday, the MOST exciting performance is the Arlington-Belmont Chorale, which will perform a world premiere composed by my good friend Michael Veloso. It is called Executive Orders and is a setting of texts relating to the interment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, scored for chorus, soloists, string quartet, and electric guitar. 3 pm, First Parish UU Church in Arlington. Come and hear a piece never before heard (well, in public - one presumes they've been practicing!)
But, considering it's Palm Sunday, you may choose the Masterworks Chorale performance of Bach's St. John Passion at Harvard University. Featuring tenor Jason McStoots (Evangelist), bass-baritone Ulysses Thomas (Jesus), soprano Teresa Wakim, mezzo-soprano Deborah Rentz-Moore, tenor Charles Blandy, and baritone Sumner Thompson. This will be in Sanders Theater at 3 pm, with a 2:00 pre-concert lecture with Steve Ledbetter (and the pre-concert lecture is bound to be more interesting with the St. John Passion than practically any other piece.)
The Paul Madore Chorale will also celebrate Palm Sunday with an all-Bach program, including Easter Cantata #4 "Christ Lag in Todesbanden". This will be in the evening, 7 pm, at First Parish Church, 225 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA.
For Sunday, also see Cantemus and Cantata Singers, above.
Did I forget anything? Give me the details in the comments!
Friday:
One of the biggest events this weekend has to be the Cantata Singers performance of Brahms' Requiem. They will be performing on Friday at 8 pm and on Sunday at 3 pm at Jordan Hall. Also on the program will be Ferruccio Busoni's Berceuse élégiaque and Kurt Weill's Concerto for Violin and Wind Instruments (in keeping with their Year of Weill.) The solo singers will be Jennifer Foster and Dana Whiteside. And Richard Dyer will be giving a pre-concert lecture at 6:45 and 1:45 (Friday and Sunday, respectively.) The Cantata Singers are one of the best choruses in Boston, and there is absolutely no doubt that this will be fantastic.
But they have big competition with The Boston Secession, which will perform "Handel in the Strand." "This concert traces the musical inheritance of Handel’s heirs – from the man himself to works by Mendelssohn, Brahms, Weill, Stravinsky and even Percy Grainger." First Church in Cambridge, 8:00 pm. More information is at their website.
More competition comes from the Harvard-Radcliffe Collegium, which will present Bach's Mass in b minor on Friday at Sanders Theater at 8 pm. This is also bound to be a special performance. More information is on their website.
Saturday:
For Saturday, the one I'll be choosing is the Back Bay Chorale's performance of Frank Martin's Mass for Double Choir. Also on the program are pieces by Messaien and Poulenc. Shannon Salyards is the solo soprano. The Back Bay Chorale is one of my alma...choruses, or whatever the proper term is, and conductor Scott Jarrett is rising fast. Everywhere I turn I hear about people who adore his conducting and rehearsing, and these are sane, level-headed, tough-to-impress people, mind you, not given to hyperbole. He will be giving a pre-concert lecture at 7. The Martin Mass is adored by those who know it, so if you don't yet know it, I recommend you come! Emmanuel Church at 8 pm.
But the Brookline Chorus is presenting a very intriguing alternative. They are presenting J.S. Bach’s two cantatas BWV 19 and 149 and Benjamin Britten’s cantata “The Company of Heaven." Intriguing programming. This is at 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline - more info at their website.
Also on Saturday, Cantemus will be putting on a concert called “Voice of Jazz: Cantemus Swings!” Come hear selections from the Great American Songbook. 7:30 pm, Pingree School, 537 Highland Street, South Hamilton - more information is at their website. They will also present this program on Sunday at 4:00 at The Governor’s Academy, 1 Elm Street, Byfield.
Yet more for Saturday - the Concord Chorus presents the Brahms Zigeunerlieder, along with Stanford and Monteverdi. 8:00 pm at Concord Academy Chapel, 166 Main Street, Concord, MA.
Sunday:
On Sunday, the MOST exciting performance is the Arlington-Belmont Chorale, which will perform a world premiere composed by my good friend Michael Veloso. It is called Executive Orders and is a setting of texts relating to the interment of Japanese-Americans during World War II, scored for chorus, soloists, string quartet, and electric guitar. 3 pm, First Parish UU Church in Arlington. Come and hear a piece never before heard (well, in public - one presumes they've been practicing!)
But, considering it's Palm Sunday, you may choose the Masterworks Chorale performance of Bach's St. John Passion at Harvard University. Featuring tenor Jason McStoots (Evangelist), bass-baritone Ulysses Thomas (Jesus), soprano Teresa Wakim, mezzo-soprano Deborah Rentz-Moore, tenor Charles Blandy, and baritone Sumner Thompson. This will be in Sanders Theater at 3 pm, with a 2:00 pre-concert lecture with Steve Ledbetter (and the pre-concert lecture is bound to be more interesting with the St. John Passion than practically any other piece.)
The Paul Madore Chorale will also celebrate Palm Sunday with an all-Bach program, including Easter Cantata #4 "Christ Lag in Todesbanden". This will be in the evening, 7 pm, at First Parish Church, 225 Cabot Street, Beverly, MA.
For Sunday, also see Cantemus and Cantata Singers, above.
Did I forget anything? Give me the details in the comments!
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Turandot
I just saw the Lowell House performance of Turandot at Harvard. This is a quick note to say that it was a great production, and I highly recommend it. In particular, the two leads, Turandot and Calaf, were fantastic. I, along with many other people, wondered where Lowell House was going to find singers in Boston to fill those roles, but they succeeded admirably. Mad props to Michelle Trainor and Kevin Courtemanche, as they were both excellent. All the soloists were very solid, as was the chorus, orchestra, and everyone involved.
Although I have to say (and I know my mother is going to roll her eyes and say, "But it's opera!") that the plot is grade-A icky. Everyone is completely off their rocker. All the leads did an excellent job of making their characters real and emotional, but especialy the plot line in the third act of "You're sexually harassing me! This is making me fall in love with you!" is just a hard sell under the best of circumstances. Not to mention the old chestnut "I've seen her for five seconds! I am now madly in love with her and will abandon my blind, lame father on the streets to pursue her!"
But, as Anna Russell would say, "That's the beauty of grand opera - you can do anything, so long as you sing it!"
Although I have to say (and I know my mother is going to roll her eyes and say, "But it's opera!") that the plot is grade-A icky. Everyone is completely off their rocker. All the leads did an excellent job of making their characters real and emotional, but especialy the plot line in the third act of "You're sexually harassing me! This is making me fall in love with you!" is just a hard sell under the best of circumstances. Not to mention the old chestnut "I've seen her for five seconds! I am now madly in love with her and will abandon my blind, lame father on the streets to pursue her!"
But, as Anna Russell would say, "That's the beauty of grand opera - you can do anything, so long as you sing it!"
Thursday, March 06, 2008
News, and Weekend Concert Calendar 3/6/08
Apologies for slacking off on the Weekend Concert Calendar for the past 2 weeks. The reason is that I have a new job!
I am no longer working for the Boston Cecilia. I had a great time there, and I'm going to miss them all very much. However, I'm also quite excited about my new job - I'll be working at Harvard Law School in the Office of Public Interest Advising. Basically, we are the career services office for non-profit and government work.
So, for the past two weeks I have been working both jobs, which left me a little limp, and disinclined to scan the concert pages. However, guilt over my dereliction of duty has propelled me back into my usual schedule, so here are the concerts lined up for this weekend! (See if you can find the one that I'm in. It's like Where's Waldo! Only if Waldo were, like, female, and blond, and singing, and someone who wouldn't be caught dead in horizontal red-and-white stripes,* and not actually hiding anywhere. And without that whole looking-at-a-picture element. So, OK. Maybe not so much like Waldo after all.)
Friday
Chorus Pro Musica, 8:00 pm, Cathedral Church of St. Paul at 138 Tremont St. in Boston - They will be performing "A Celebration of New England Composers" in honor of Daniel Pinkham. (There's a lot of that going around.) From Billings right up until the present day, there are a lot of good composers that have come from this area, so go and feel some local pride! More information at their website.
Boston Choral Ensemble, 8:00 pm, First Church in Cambridge - The Boston Choral Ensemble will perform di Lasso's "Lagrime de San Pietro." More information at their website. I don't know this piece, but I love Orlando di Lasso, so I'm somewhat sad that a rehearsal prevents me from making this concert.
Saturday
New England Classical Singers, 7:30 pm, St. Augustines Church, Essex St., Andover - Two classics - the Fauré Requiem and "Rejoice in the Lamb" by Benjamin Britten. If you are not intimately familiar with both of these pieces, then go! You must hear them! And if you are, then you already know why you should go. More info at their website.
Chorus North Shore, 8:00 pm, Our Lady of Hope Church, Linebrook Rd., Ipswich, MA - It seems to be a good weekend for American composers - this concert features Bernstein, Billings, Copland, Getchell, Thompson and other American composers. More info at their website - this concert will also be on Sunday at First Parish Church, 225 Cabot St., Beverly, MA.
Harvard Glee Club and the Radcliffe Choral Society, 8:00 pm, Sanders Theatre in Cambridge - This concert is titled "Musica Diversa", and that's just what these two groups will be singing - anything that caught their fancy over the past half-century. More information at their respective websites.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers, 8:00 pm, St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, MA - This is a mixed bag concert, so I will simply quote from their website: "Bach's Lobet Denn Herrn will be contrasted with Rachmaninoff's setting of the same text. Similar comparisons of musical settings will be Victoria with Lauridsen, and Brahms with Whitacre. This exciting and eclectic program will also include American music from the Spiritual to Randall Thompson's "Ye Shall Have a Song."" More information at said website.
Rachmaninoff Festival Choir, 7:30 pm, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Cambridge, MA -
Rachmaninoff's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom will be performed by the Rachmaninoff Festival Choir combined with members of the Down East Singers and the Bowdoin College Chorus, both located in mid-coast Maine. More info is at the church's website.
Sunday
Choir of All Saints Parish, 3:00 pm, All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon St., Brookline, MA - The Choir of All Saints presents their Annual Sacred Concert of Remembrance featuring the Fauré Requiem and other sacred works by Fauré. Jessica Cooper, soprano and Robert Honeysucker, baritone. Donald Teeters, conducting. Free! Also featuring, ringing in the alto section, a familiar blogger!
Polymnia Choral Society, 4:00 pm, St. Mary's Church, 46 Myrtle St., Melrose - Polymnia presents the Cherubini Requiem, which is not so well known nowadays, but which was much beloved in times past (Beethoven famously listed it as one of his favorite pieces.) Highly worth going to see. More information at their website.
Seraphim Singers, 4:00 pm, The United Church of Christ, 496 Main Street, Medfield, MA - this is a tough day to decide! Seraphim Singers are a stellar choir that handles astonishingly difficult music with ease (I should know, I sang with them until Boston Cecilia took away my Monday nights, and I think that's the hardest rep I've ever had put in front of me.) They'll be performing Schütz Deutsches Magnificat; Byrd Ave Maria & other works honoring the Virgin Mary. More info at their website. They will also be performing this concert for FREE at St. Mary's Chapel at Boston College on Tuesday at 8:00 pm.
Boston Choral Ensemble, 2:00 pm, St. John the Evangelist, 35 Bowdoin St., Boston - see entry under Friday.
Chorus North Shore, 3:00 pm, First Parish Church, 225 Cabot St., Beverly, MA - see entry under Saturday.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers, 8:00 pm, St. Mark's School, Southborough, MA - see entry under Saturday.
Quincy Choral Society, 2:00 pm, Sacred Heart School Auditorium, Hancock St. (Rte.3A) N. Quincy - "Lights, Camera, Auction!" Join them for a free concert, a silent auction, and a sing-along! They will be performing a fun assortment of pieces from movies and musicals. More information is here. (Warning - their website is rather loud.)
Mass Theatrica, 2:00 pm, Southgate of Shrewsbury, 30 Julio Drive, Shrewsbury, MA - an open read-through of the G&S operetta Iolanthe. It appears that the cast for soloists has been settled, but if you bring your own score, you can sing in the chorus. More information is here.
In short, a very rich weekend! Don't forget, live music is like nothing else. Get out there and physically remind yourself of that fact.
*Unless I was dressed up like a pirate. That's kind of a no-brainer, right? Except one must be careful about making sweeping statements on the web.
I am no longer working for the Boston Cecilia. I had a great time there, and I'm going to miss them all very much. However, I'm also quite excited about my new job - I'll be working at Harvard Law School in the Office of Public Interest Advising. Basically, we are the career services office for non-profit and government work.
So, for the past two weeks I have been working both jobs, which left me a little limp, and disinclined to scan the concert pages. However, guilt over my dereliction of duty has propelled me back into my usual schedule, so here are the concerts lined up for this weekend! (See if you can find the one that I'm in. It's like Where's Waldo! Only if Waldo were, like, female, and blond, and singing, and someone who wouldn't be caught dead in horizontal red-and-white stripes,* and not actually hiding anywhere. And without that whole looking-at-a-picture element. So, OK. Maybe not so much like Waldo after all.)
Friday
Chorus Pro Musica, 8:00 pm, Cathedral Church of St. Paul at 138 Tremont St. in Boston - They will be performing "A Celebration of New England Composers" in honor of Daniel Pinkham. (There's a lot of that going around.) From Billings right up until the present day, there are a lot of good composers that have come from this area, so go and feel some local pride! More information at their website.
Boston Choral Ensemble, 8:00 pm, First Church in Cambridge - The Boston Choral Ensemble will perform di Lasso's "Lagrime de San Pietro." More information at their website. I don't know this piece, but I love Orlando di Lasso, so I'm somewhat sad that a rehearsal prevents me from making this concert.
Saturday
New England Classical Singers, 7:30 pm, St. Augustines Church, Essex St., Andover - Two classics - the Fauré Requiem and "Rejoice in the Lamb" by Benjamin Britten. If you are not intimately familiar with both of these pieces, then go! You must hear them! And if you are, then you already know why you should go. More info at their website.
Chorus North Shore, 8:00 pm, Our Lady of Hope Church, Linebrook Rd., Ipswich, MA - It seems to be a good weekend for American composers - this concert features Bernstein, Billings, Copland, Getchell, Thompson and other American composers. More info at their website - this concert will also be on Sunday at First Parish Church, 225 Cabot St., Beverly, MA.
Harvard Glee Club and the Radcliffe Choral Society, 8:00 pm, Sanders Theatre in Cambridge - This concert is titled "Musica Diversa", and that's just what these two groups will be singing - anything that caught their fancy over the past half-century. More information at their respective websites.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers, 8:00 pm, St. Mary's Church, Shrewsbury, MA - This is a mixed bag concert, so I will simply quote from their website: "Bach's Lobet Denn Herrn will be contrasted with Rachmaninoff's setting of the same text. Similar comparisons of musical settings will be Victoria with Lauridsen, and Brahms with Whitacre. This exciting and eclectic program will also include American music from the Spiritual to Randall Thompson's "Ye Shall Have a Song."" More information at said website.
Rachmaninoff Festival Choir, 7:30 pm, St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Cambridge, MA -
Rachmaninoff's Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom will be performed by the Rachmaninoff Festival Choir combined with members of the Down East Singers and the Bowdoin College Chorus, both located in mid-coast Maine. More info is at the church's website.
Sunday
Choir of All Saints Parish, 3:00 pm, All Saints Parish, 1773 Beacon St., Brookline, MA - The Choir of All Saints presents their Annual Sacred Concert of Remembrance featuring the Fauré Requiem and other sacred works by Fauré. Jessica Cooper, soprano and Robert Honeysucker, baritone. Donald Teeters, conducting. Free! Also featuring, ringing in the alto section, a familiar blogger!
Polymnia Choral Society, 4:00 pm, St. Mary's Church, 46 Myrtle St., Melrose - Polymnia presents the Cherubini Requiem, which is not so well known nowadays, but which was much beloved in times past (Beethoven famously listed it as one of his favorite pieces.) Highly worth going to see. More information at their website.
Seraphim Singers, 4:00 pm, The United Church of Christ, 496 Main Street, Medfield, MA - this is a tough day to decide! Seraphim Singers are a stellar choir that handles astonishingly difficult music with ease (I should know, I sang with them until Boston Cecilia took away my Monday nights, and I think that's the hardest rep I've ever had put in front of me.) They'll be performing Schütz Deutsches Magnificat; Byrd Ave Maria & other works honoring the Virgin Mary. More info at their website. They will also be performing this concert for FREE at St. Mary's Chapel at Boston College on Tuesday at 8:00 pm.
Boston Choral Ensemble, 2:00 pm, St. John the Evangelist, 35 Bowdoin St., Boston - see entry under Friday.
Chorus North Shore, 3:00 pm, First Parish Church, 225 Cabot St., Beverly, MA - see entry under Saturday.
Assabet Valley Mastersingers, 8:00 pm, St. Mark's School, Southborough, MA - see entry under Saturday.
Quincy Choral Society, 2:00 pm, Sacred Heart School Auditorium, Hancock St. (Rte.3A) N. Quincy - "Lights, Camera, Auction!" Join them for a free concert, a silent auction, and a sing-along! They will be performing a fun assortment of pieces from movies and musicals. More information is here. (Warning - their website is rather loud.)
Mass Theatrica, 2:00 pm, Southgate of Shrewsbury, 30 Julio Drive, Shrewsbury, MA - an open read-through of the G&S operetta Iolanthe. It appears that the cast for soloists has been settled, but if you bring your own score, you can sing in the chorus. More information is here.
In short, a very rich weekend! Don't forget, live music is like nothing else. Get out there and physically remind yourself of that fact.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Links - Korea and England
From my brother comes an article about the recent New York Phil performance in North Korea, and the use of music generally as a diplomatic tool.
And from my father comes an article about the first female assistant conductor of the oldest orchestra in Britain, and, says the article, the first woman to hold "such a position in the country." It is not clear whether this means the first woman to get a two-year contract, or the first assistant conductor, but either way, what year are we in? The wheels of change sure do move slowly. And yet people still sit around and debate whether sexism exists in regard to conductors.
And from my father comes an article about the first female assistant conductor of the oldest orchestra in Britain, and, says the article, the first woman to hold "such a position in the country." It is not clear whether this means the first woman to get a two-year contract, or the first assistant conductor, but either way, what year are we in? The wheels of change sure do move slowly. And yet people still sit around and debate whether sexism exists in regard to conductors.
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Harvard-Lyrica Dialogues
Anyone up for some free music lectures? The aspect that is appealing to me is that they are framed as dialogues, not lectures.
Each Spring, the Lyrica Society for Word-Music Relations organizes a set of
symposia called the Harvard-Lyrica Dialogues, which, through the study of the
interaction of words and music, propose to shed light on timely aspects of
historical, literary and musicological research. This year's series was
inspired by Professor Susan Suleiman's recent book "Crises of Memory and the
Second World War".
The Lyrica Society is pleased to announce its forthcoming Harvard-Lyrica
Dialogues, 2008, themed:
Music and Memory – Music as Memory
Fridays: February 15, March 14, April 18 and May 9, 2008
4 – 6 PM · Dudley House · Lehman Hall · Harvard Yard
Friday, February 15, 2008
Schubert, Schumann, Literary Notions, and Song: "Fragment" and "Apostrophe"
German Lieder
- Deborah Stein, New England Conservatory of Music
- Rufus Hallmark, Rutgers University
Friday, March 14, 2008
Death, Concentrated: Viktor Ullmann's "Der Kaiser von Atlantis"
- Rachel Bergman, George Mason University
- Peter Laki, Bard College
- Richard Beaudoin, Brandeis University
Friday, April 18, 2008
In Memoriam Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) and Robert F. Kennedy
1925-1968)
World Première: "And Music Will Not End" – Songs by Lori Laitman
- D'Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano
– Lori Laitman, piano
Friday, May 9, 2008
Revolution and Its Discontents: Bernanos, Poulenc and their "Dialogues of
the Carmelites"
- Jann Pasler, University of California, San Diego
- Jeffrey Mehlman, Boston University
- Paul-André Bempéchat, Harvard University
- Mark DeVoto, Tufts University
Free admission
Each Spring, the Lyrica Society for Word-Music Relations organizes a set of
symposia called the Harvard-Lyrica Dialogues, which, through the study of the
interaction of words and music, propose to shed light on timely aspects of
historical, literary and musicological research. This year's series was
inspired by Professor Susan Suleiman's recent book "Crises of Memory and the
Second World War".
The Lyrica Society is pleased to announce its forthcoming Harvard-Lyrica
Dialogues, 2008, themed:
Music and Memory – Music as Memory
Fridays: February 15, March 14, April 18 and May 9, 2008
4 – 6 PM · Dudley House · Lehman Hall · Harvard Yard
Friday, February 15, 2008
Schubert, Schumann, Literary Notions, and Song: "Fragment" and "Apostrophe"
German Lieder
- Deborah Stein, New England Conservatory of Music
- Rufus Hallmark, Rutgers University
Friday, March 14, 2008
Death, Concentrated: Viktor Ullmann's "Der Kaiser von Atlantis"
- Rachel Bergman, George Mason University
- Peter Laki, Bard College
- Richard Beaudoin, Brandeis University
Friday, April 18, 2008
In Memoriam Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929-1968) and Robert F. Kennedy
1925-1968)
World Première: "And Music Will Not End" – Songs by Lori Laitman
- D'Anna Fortunato, mezzo-soprano
– Lori Laitman, piano
Friday, May 9, 2008
Revolution and Its Discontents: Bernanos, Poulenc and their "Dialogues of
the Carmelites"
- Jann Pasler, University of California, San Diego
- Jeffrey Mehlman, Boston University
- Paul-André Bempéchat, Harvard University
- Mark DeVoto, Tufts University
Free admission
Friday, February 15, 2008
Cappella Clausura Concert
No concert calendar this week. Not enough left-over brain. However, I will mention the most important concert going on - Cappella Clausura is performing tonight and tomorrow night!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
“The Mystery of Salzinnes – Selections from a New Antiphonal of 1554” – US premiere of monastic chant from the newly discovered manuscript with projections by Judith Dietz, MA, Art Historian and Associate Curator with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
EVENT DATES:
7:30 PM, Friday, Feb 15, 2008 Gordon Chapel of Old South Church, Boston
8:00 PM Saturday, Feb 16, 2008 at Episcopal Parish of the Messiah, Newton
CONTACT:
Amelia LeClair, Director, Cappella Clausura
617-964-6609 / 857-919-4218 mobile
Boston and Newton, Mass.
Join Cappella Clausura as we transport you into the world of the monastic renaissance: you are the the "audit-eur," listening in on pure transcendent chant--an evening of truly incandescent music emitted from voices soaring above you. And... you'll be surrounded by beautiful projections of this ancient, illustrated manuscript that have been created especially for this concert by Garrow Throop of GaroGraphics.
The Salzinnes Antiphonal of 1554, from the collection of Medieval Manuscripts at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, was recently brought to light by Judith Dietz, Associate Curator of Historical European Art at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and graduate student at the University. Our concert includes an exciting pre-concert visual presentation of the manuscript by Ms. Dietz herself.
For further information, to reserve tickets, and to get directions, please visit:
http://www.clausura.org
Tickets are $20/$12 (Students and Seniors)
Press admitted free
Hope to see you there!!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
“The Mystery of Salzinnes – Selections from a New Antiphonal of 1554” – US premiere of monastic chant from the newly discovered manuscript with projections by Judith Dietz, MA, Art Historian and Associate Curator with the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
EVENT DATES:
7:30 PM, Friday, Feb 15, 2008 Gordon Chapel of Old South Church, Boston
8:00 PM Saturday, Feb 16, 2008 at Episcopal Parish of the Messiah, Newton
CONTACT:
Amelia LeClair, Director, Cappella Clausura
617-964-6609 / 857-919-4218 mobile
Boston and Newton, Mass.
Join Cappella Clausura as we transport you into the world of the monastic renaissance: you are the the "audit-eur," listening in on pure transcendent chant--an evening of truly incandescent music emitted from voices soaring above you. And... you'll be surrounded by beautiful projections of this ancient, illustrated manuscript that have been created especially for this concert by Garrow Throop of GaroGraphics.
The Salzinnes Antiphonal of 1554, from the collection of Medieval Manuscripts at Saint Mary's University in Halifax, was recently brought to light by Judith Dietz, Associate Curator of Historical European Art at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia and graduate student at the University. Our concert includes an exciting pre-concert visual presentation of the manuscript by Ms. Dietz herself.
For further information, to reserve tickets, and to get directions, please visit:
http://www.clausura.org
Tickets are $20/$12 (Students and Seniors)
Press admitted free
Hope to see you there!!
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Paul Potts tour dates
A loyal reader, after seeing my Paul Potts post, requested the Paul Potts tour dates for the U.S., so here they are! (For Bostonians, he will be coming to our fair city next month.)
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 2/7/08
It is rainy/snowy/slushy/cold...in short, definitely February in Boston. Is it really worth venturing outside this weekend for some live music? Mais, oui! Here are some options.
First off, my vocal quartet, formerly Schizophonic, has now been renamed Anthology. We have two fabulous new singers who joined us in January, and we have our first two gigs this weekend! We'll be singing at the Winchester High School MadrigalFest at 7:30 pm on Saturday at the Winchester Town Hall (along with some of my students from last year when I taught there!) And on Sunday, we'll be participating in Longy's New Music Marathon at Pickman Hall, although we don't quite have a time yet - probably around 2 pm.
You will be hearing more about Anthology as we get our website up and going, etc.
Also, I just came home from the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Don Giovanni, and I have to say it was tremendous fun, and you should definitely check it out - it's playing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (Props to Roy Del Valle as Leporello and Sheena Ramirez as Zerlina, whose performances I particularly enjoyed.)
What else is going on? Let's see...
Friday:
The most exciting thing is The Boston Secession concert. This is a group whom I have never yet seen, but I remain totally convinced that they are awesome. Since I have a rehearsal Friday night, my blind faith will have to remain such, but you can go prove to yourself how great they are. The concert is called (Un)Lucky in Love, and it's their annual Alternative Valentine's concert. 8:00 pm, Friday, at the Veronique Ballroom, Longwood Towers, Brookline. More information, including directions, is on their website.
Wait...apparently that's the ONLY choral thing on Friday. So, moving on...
Saturday:
There is a "Women's Festive Concert" at Sanders Theater at 8 pm on Saturday, featuring the Radcliffe Choral Society, the Wellesley Chamber Singers and the Handel and Haydn Society Young Women's Chorus. More information is here, and some more is here.
The Heritage Chorale is holding a pops concert called "A Little Bit of Heaven." I quote from their release: "Our annual Pops concert will have a different twist this year, as we perform a wide variety of pieces that have to do with heaven...and heavenly things! Selections include Haydn's magnificent "The Heavens are Telling", "Pennies from Heaven", "Blow, Gabriel, Blow", a terrific set of songs from "Godspell" and a group of out-of-this-world spirituals." Saturday, 7:30 pm, in
Nevins Hall, Memorial Building, Framingham - more information is on their website.
Oh, and Libana has a concert! Cool! Except it's in Maine. Whatever.
Sunday:
The Halalisa Singers, a world music chorus, have a concert at 4 pm at First Parish Church of Stow - more info here.
And at 7:30 pm, if you are a Rutter fan you can go to an open sing of his Requiem (which I am not familiar with, but which is said to be his best piece) in Belmont at 7:30 pm. More information is on the Powers Music School webpage.
Also, I must say that while this weekend is a bit thin chorally, it looks like a very good weekend for some solo vocal performances, including Nancy Argenta, well-known mezzo. Check out the Boston Singer's Resource Concert Page for more details on various vocal happenings of the soloistic sort.
First off, my vocal quartet, formerly Schizophonic, has now been renamed Anthology. We have two fabulous new singers who joined us in January, and we have our first two gigs this weekend! We'll be singing at the Winchester High School MadrigalFest at 7:30 pm on Saturday at the Winchester Town Hall (along with some of my students from last year when I taught there!) And on Sunday, we'll be participating in Longy's New Music Marathon at Pickman Hall, although we don't quite have a time yet - probably around 2 pm.
You will be hearing more about Anthology as we get our website up and going, etc.
Also, I just came home from the Boston Opera Collaborative's production of Don Giovanni, and I have to say it was tremendous fun, and you should definitely check it out - it's playing Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. (Props to Roy Del Valle as Leporello and Sheena Ramirez as Zerlina, whose performances I particularly enjoyed.)
What else is going on? Let's see...
Friday:
The most exciting thing is The Boston Secession concert. This is a group whom I have never yet seen, but I remain totally convinced that they are awesome. Since I have a rehearsal Friday night, my blind faith will have to remain such, but you can go prove to yourself how great they are. The concert is called (Un)Lucky in Love, and it's their annual Alternative Valentine's concert. 8:00 pm, Friday, at the Veronique Ballroom, Longwood Towers, Brookline. More information, including directions, is on their website.
Wait...apparently that's the ONLY choral thing on Friday. So, moving on...
Saturday:
There is a "Women's Festive Concert" at Sanders Theater at 8 pm on Saturday, featuring the Radcliffe Choral Society, the Wellesley Chamber Singers and the Handel and Haydn Society Young Women's Chorus. More information is here, and some more is here.
The Heritage Chorale is holding a pops concert called "A Little Bit of Heaven." I quote from their release: "Our annual Pops concert will have a different twist this year, as we perform a wide variety of pieces that have to do with heaven...and heavenly things! Selections include Haydn's magnificent "The Heavens are Telling", "Pennies from Heaven", "Blow, Gabriel, Blow", a terrific set of songs from "Godspell" and a group of out-of-this-world spirituals." Saturday, 7:30 pm, in
Nevins Hall, Memorial Building, Framingham - more information is on their website.
Oh, and Libana has a concert! Cool! Except it's in Maine. Whatever.
Sunday:
The Halalisa Singers, a world music chorus, have a concert at 4 pm at First Parish Church of Stow - more info here.
And at 7:30 pm, if you are a Rutter fan you can go to an open sing of his Requiem (which I am not familiar with, but which is said to be his best piece) in Belmont at 7:30 pm. More information is on the Powers Music School webpage.
Also, I must say that while this weekend is a bit thin chorally, it looks like a very good weekend for some solo vocal performances, including Nancy Argenta, well-known mezzo. Check out the Boston Singer's Resource Concert Page for more details on various vocal happenings of the soloistic sort.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
Two-for-one Boston Cecilia ticket deal!
Hello, all! As Operations Manager of the Boston Cecilia, I have been enabled to offer you a deal on our upcoming concert. I get to offer you two tickets for the price of one at all ticket levels except the cheapest!
Details:
The concert:
The Boston Cecilia is going to celebrate both Handel's birthday and the 40th anniversary of our music director, Donald Teeters. The result is going to be a HUGE Handel extravaganza. There are going to be fifteen soloists. The list is:
This is in addition to the chorus (always great, but especially experienced in this repertoire) and a period orchestra.
Tell me that doesn't look like an awesome concert, eh? I'm tremendously excited about it (and not because it's my job, either) and am trying to figure out a way to hand over the will-call table to someone else so I don't miss a single number.
So, the ticket deal is as follows. We offer tickets at 4 levels - $62, $42, $27, $15. For the upper three levels - $62, $42, $27 - if you buy one ticket, I'll give you one for free. I set up a special website for this right here - go buy some tickets!
The only request I have is that during your online order, there's a little place for notes. Please write a note saying you heard about the deal via my blog. And if you spread around this info, please give people the link to this post, and not the ticket page, so that they will also click through my blog to get there.
I know that in the past months I have been big on concert announcements and short on actual content. I'm aiming to try and fix that in the future...but probably not until this big wacky concert is over.
Details:
The concert:
Sunday, February 24 at
3 pm in
Jordan Hall at
New England Conservatory,
3 pm in
Jordan Hall at
New England Conservatory,
The Boston Cecilia is going to celebrate both Handel's birthday and the 40th anniversary of our music director, Donald Teeters. The result is going to be a HUGE Handel extravaganza. There are going to be fifteen soloists. The list is:
Sopranos: Nancy Armstrong, Sharon Baker, Karol Bennett,
Holly Cameron, Jessica Cooper, Lauren-Rose King
Mezzo-sopranos: Pamela Dellal, Krista River
Countertenor: Jeffrey Gall
Tenors: Charles Blandy, William Hite, Steven Mello, Aaron Sheehan
Baritones: David Arnold, Robert Honeysucker
Holly Cameron, Jessica Cooper, Lauren-Rose King
Mezzo-sopranos: Pamela Dellal, Krista River
Countertenor: Jeffrey Gall
Tenors: Charles Blandy, William Hite, Steven Mello, Aaron Sheehan
Baritones: David Arnold, Robert Honeysucker
This is in addition to the chorus (always great, but especially experienced in this repertoire) and a period orchestra.
Tell me that doesn't look like an awesome concert, eh? I'm tremendously excited about it (and not because it's my job, either) and am trying to figure out a way to hand over the will-call table to someone else so I don't miss a single number.
So, the ticket deal is as follows. We offer tickets at 4 levels - $62, $42, $27, $15. For the upper three levels - $62, $42, $27 - if you buy one ticket, I'll give you one for free. I set up a special website for this right here - go buy some tickets!
The only request I have is that during your online order, there's a little place for notes. Please write a note saying you heard about the deal via my blog. And if you spread around this info, please give people the link to this post, and not the ticket page, so that they will also click through my blog to get there.
I know that in the past months I have been big on concert announcements and short on actual content. I'm aiming to try and fix that in the future...but probably not until this big wacky concert is over.
Friday, February 01, 2008
No weekend concert calendar this week...
The Boston Cecilia program book is due to go to the proofreader by the end of the day...rehearsals for Cappella Clausura are starting for our upcoming performance...Anthology is now a week away from our first performance together...my first Sunday at my new church job is this Sunday...and this all means that you don't get a weekend concert calendar update this week.
However, just so that you have something to amuse you, I offer you this video. It's of two dancers - one without an arm, and one without a leg, and it is possible that you have never seen something as impressive and beautiful and romantic in your life.
Here is an article about them.
However, just so that you have something to amuse you, I offer you this video. It's of two dancers - one without an arm, and one without a leg, and it is possible that you have never seen something as impressive and beautiful and romantic in your life.
Here is an article about them.
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Monteverdi live broadcast
Andrew Megill (professor at Westminster, former teacher of mine, awesome musician, and all-around mensch) is conducting a performance of Monteverdi's Vespers tomorrow in NYC at 7:30 at the Trinity Wall Street Church.
Of course, you should go see it if you're in New York.
But if you're not, you can watch and listen to a live webcast! Nutty and amazing times these, eh?
Of course, you should go see it if you're in New York.
But if you're not, you can watch and listen to a live webcast! Nutty and amazing times these, eh?
Thursday, January 24, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/24/08
It is really late, and I am really tired, so you get the cliff notes version!
First and foremost, I'm singing in a concert with the King's Chapel Choir this Sunday at 5 pm. (I'm a sub, and delighted to be singing with a fun and talented bunch of people.) We'll be singing various settings of New England poetry, including two works commissioned for this concert. As a singer, it's a delight to sing really good poetry, something that doesn't always happen. Stop on by and hear some neat new music, and some tried-and-true music as well.
Here is your acrostic guide to the rest of the weekend.
The Dream of Gerontius by Elgar, performed by the TFC and the BSO -
Heppner solos with others. Another option -
Exsultemus presents Behind the Vespers for St. Louis.
Halalisa Singers or
Ave Maris Stella Vocal Ensemble? Perhaps
Passio and the Elm City Consort or
Pizmon will please
you.
Convivium Musicum is a winner. Or how about
Halalisa Singers
or a
Requiem by Verdi by the Westford Chorus?
Undeniably,
so many good options!
First and foremost, I'm singing in a concert with the King's Chapel Choir this Sunday at 5 pm. (I'm a sub, and delighted to be singing with a fun and talented bunch of people.) We'll be singing various settings of New England poetry, including two works commissioned for this concert. As a singer, it's a delight to sing really good poetry, something that doesn't always happen. Stop on by and hear some neat new music, and some tried-and-true music as well.
Here is your acrostic guide to the rest of the weekend.
The Dream of Gerontius by Elgar, performed by the TFC and the BSO -
Heppner solos with others. Another option -
Exsultemus presents Behind the Vespers for St. Louis.
Halalisa Singers or
Ave Maris Stella Vocal Ensemble? Perhaps
Passio and the Elm City Consort or
Pizmon will please
you.
Convivium Musicum is a winner. Or how about
Halalisa Singers
or a
Requiem by Verdi by the Westford Chorus?
Undeniably,
so many good options!
Monday, January 21, 2008
More links
A couple more links from my Dad.
This is a great musical college prank. Kid breaks out into Broadway song in the middle of lecture. I got it via this college prank round-up by The Chronicle. I recommend watching the Chronicle link for prank #3 - "It's Drinking Time!"
Also, need a baton?
This is a great musical college prank. Kid breaks out into Broadway song in the middle of lecture. I got it via this college prank round-up by The Chronicle. I recommend watching the Chronicle link for prank #3 - "It's Drinking Time!"
Also, need a baton?
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Paul Potts
My father sent this to me a long time ago. But it is still cool. So here you go!
"An unassuming Welsh mobile-phone salesman who had always wanted to sing opera makes it to the “Britain’s Got Talent” show. Even Simon Cowell was in awe of Paul Potts’ performance."
Even if opera doesn't usually turn you on, I think you'll find this thrilling. Here's the original page with links to all the videos. Here's the first round video, and here's the finals.
"An unassuming Welsh mobile-phone salesman who had always wanted to sing opera makes it to the “Britain’s Got Talent” show. Even Simon Cowell was in awe of Paul Potts’ performance."
Even if opera doesn't usually turn you on, I think you'll find this thrilling. Here's the original page with links to all the videos. Here's the first round video, and here's the finals.
Thursday, January 17, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/17/08
At last - Boston has recovered from its new year's excesses, and once again you are inundated with choices for concerts this weekend, so many that perhaps you feel exhausted just thinking about them and want to stay home. Never fear, I am here to lead you through the tangle! And please, if you go to any of these concerts, drop me a comment and let me know how it was!
Friday:
Also on Friday:
The Cantata Singers are at Jordan Hall at 8pm. See under my pick for Sunday.
The Lexington Pops Chorus will present Mozart's Missa Brevis in F Major, and a medley from The Fantasticks, among other pieces. 8 pm, Hancock Church in Lexington Center. More information is here. This will also be Saturday at 8 pm.
The Greek Byzantine Choir will be in Manchester, NH at 8 pm. See under Saturday for more details (when they are singing in Boston.) Details are here.
Saturday:
My choice for Saturday is the Harlem Gospel Choir, which will be performing at 8 pm at Sanders Theater with the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School Vocal Ensemble and the OrigiNation Dance Troupe. The concert is called "Joyful Noise" and it celebrates Dr. MLK. This looks like a crazy fun concert. Details are here.
Also on Saturday:
Convivium Musicum is presenting "Josquin was here: Franco-Flemish musicians in Italy." Convivium Musicum is an excellent amateur Renaissance choir, and my experience has been that they are pretty stellar programmers as well. They will be performing Saturday in Hamilton at 8pm, Sunday in Andover at 4pm, and also next week in more public-transit-friendly locations for those of us Boston-bound. More details are here.
The Greek Byzantine Choir is in town, courtesy of BEMF. They will be performing at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England at 8 pm, and will be singing Medieval hymns and psalms from the Byzantine tradition. I suspect this is a relatively rare opportunity for a glimpse into a choral tradition not entirely familiar to most of us.
On Saturday at 7:30, the Boston Globe has an intriguing snippet about the Cambridge Chamber Singers, who will perform at the Arlington St. John's Episcopal Church. The concert is called "100 Years of Music: A Tribute to The MacDowell Colony." Details, such as they are, here. They are enough to get you to the church on time, should you be interested.
Sunday:
My choice for Sunday is The Cantata Singers, who continue their year-long exploration of Kurt Weill. This concert features "Propheten," from The Eternal Road and a world premiere by Lior Navok called Slavery Documents 3: And the trains kept coming . . . This will be Friday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm at Jordan Hall. There will be a pre-concert lecture with Navok, and the PALS Children's Chorus and Spectrum Singers will also be participating. More information is here.
Also, not choral, but a couple of things need to be mentioned anyways. First, David Daniels is in town on Saturday! For those who don't know, Daniels is one of the greatest countertenors alive today.
Second, the Tuvan throat-singing group ALASH is in town. They will perform at the Lilypad in Cambridge on Saturday at 8pm. They will also be in Framingham on Saturday and Sunday, and give a masterclass on how to perform Tuvan throat-singing on Monday in Jamaica Plain. Details of their tour are here.
And in the category of "Save the Date," the BSO will be performing Elgar's Dream of Gerontius next weekend on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Advanced word from members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus is that this is going to rock. Just so you know.
As always, if I've missed anything, please let me know!
Friday:
My choice for Friday is Ladysmith Black Mambazo! The world-famous South African crazy-awesome mbube group will be at Sander's Theater at 8pm. Mbube is a style of South African a cappella singing, and if you've never heard it, it's smooth and rich and joyous. More details on the WorldMusic/CRASHarts site. (Oops, I just looked on their site, and this concert is sold out. Sorry to get your hopes up. Um, moving right along.)
Also on Friday:
The Cantata Singers are at Jordan Hall at 8pm. See under my pick for Sunday.
The Lexington Pops Chorus will present Mozart's Missa Brevis in F Major, and a medley from The Fantasticks, among other pieces. 8 pm, Hancock Church in Lexington Center. More information is here. This will also be Saturday at 8 pm.
The Greek Byzantine Choir will be in Manchester, NH at 8 pm. See under Saturday for more details (when they are singing in Boston.) Details are here.
Saturday:
My choice for Saturday is the Harlem Gospel Choir, which will be performing at 8 pm at Sanders Theater with the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School Vocal Ensemble and the OrigiNation Dance Troupe. The concert is called "Joyful Noise" and it celebrates Dr. MLK. This looks like a crazy fun concert. Details are here.
Also on Saturday:
Convivium Musicum is presenting "Josquin was here: Franco-Flemish musicians in Italy." Convivium Musicum is an excellent amateur Renaissance choir, and my experience has been that they are pretty stellar programmers as well. They will be performing Saturday in Hamilton at 8pm, Sunday in Andover at 4pm, and also next week in more public-transit-friendly locations for those of us Boston-bound. More details are here.
The Greek Byzantine Choir is in town, courtesy of BEMF. They will be performing at the Greek Orthodox Cathedral of New England at 8 pm, and will be singing Medieval hymns and psalms from the Byzantine tradition. I suspect this is a relatively rare opportunity for a glimpse into a choral tradition not entirely familiar to most of us.
On Saturday at 7:30, the Boston Globe has an intriguing snippet about the Cambridge Chamber Singers, who will perform at the Arlington St. John's Episcopal Church. The concert is called "100 Years of Music: A Tribute to The MacDowell Colony." Details, such as they are, here. They are enough to get you to the church on time, should you be interested.
Sunday:
My choice for Sunday is The Cantata Singers, who continue their year-long exploration of Kurt Weill. This concert features "Propheten," from The Eternal Road and a world premiere by Lior Navok called Slavery Documents 3: And the trains kept coming . . . This will be Friday at 8 pm and Sunday at 3 pm at Jordan Hall. There will be a pre-concert lecture with Navok, and the PALS Children's Chorus and Spectrum Singers will also be participating. More information is here.
Also, not choral, but a couple of things need to be mentioned anyways. First, David Daniels is in town on Saturday! For those who don't know, Daniels is one of the greatest countertenors alive today.
Second, the Tuvan throat-singing group ALASH is in town. They will perform at the Lilypad in Cambridge on Saturday at 8pm. They will also be in Framingham on Saturday and Sunday, and give a masterclass on how to perform Tuvan throat-singing on Monday in Jamaica Plain. Details of their tour are here.
And in the category of "Save the Date," the BSO will be performing Elgar's Dream of Gerontius next weekend on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Advanced word from members of the Tanglewood Festival Chorus is that this is going to rock. Just so you know.
As always, if I've missed anything, please let me know!
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Libana offering classes
Calling all singing women!
Libana is a professional Boston-based group of women who sing world music. If you went to the Revels this year, you heard them singing Balkan music, which is one of their core repertoires. Their founder and artistic director, Susan Robbins, is offering an 8-week course this winter called The Art of Group Singing. It will be on Tuesday nights, January 22 through March 25th. The class will primarily explore Balkan and Persian singing traditions. For more information, call (617) 628-0916 or e-mail srlibana@aol.com. This is for women only. Below is a quote from the e-mail (I'm on their mailing list) with some of the goals of the workshop.
* how to use your voice in healthy ways
* how to find the power in your voice in an opening and non-pushing way
* how to open expressively within these styles
* how to open to the exhilaration and vibrancy of ensemble singing in non-western vocal production
* great songs from other parts of the world!
As I previously mentioned, if one of your goals for the new year is to sing more, here you go!
Libana is a professional Boston-based group of women who sing world music. If you went to the Revels this year, you heard them singing Balkan music, which is one of their core repertoires. Their founder and artistic director, Susan Robbins, is offering an 8-week course this winter called The Art of Group Singing. It will be on Tuesday nights, January 22 through March 25th. The class will primarily explore Balkan and Persian singing traditions. For more information, call (617) 628-0916 or e-mail srlibana@aol.com. This is for women only. Below is a quote from the e-mail (I'm on their mailing list) with some of the goals of the workshop.
* how to use your voice in healthy ways
* how to find the power in your voice in an opening and non-pushing way
* how to open expressively within these styles
* how to open to the exhilaration and vibrancy of ensemble singing in non-western vocal production
* great songs from other parts of the world!
As I previously mentioned, if one of your goals for the new year is to sing more, here you go!
Friday, January 11, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/11/08
Whoops, I'm a little late on this. However, better slightly less early than never!
Either things are getting off to a slow start in January, or else the craziness of December skewed my idea of how much choral stuff goes on in Boston on any given weekend. I would have expected there to be slightly more than this, but I suppose everyone is still getting into the swing of the new year.
Friday (tonight!)
The Harvard Chamber Singers is performing tonight at First Church in Cambridge at 8 pm. They will be singing British Renaissance music - it looks good. More info is here.
I'm pretty sure this isn't choral, but Handel and Haydn is presenting a concert called "Baroque Jewels" which features "Baroque vocal and instrumental music." More information is here. I have to say I am a little cranky about the way they listed "singers" and "actors" on the website. Singers ARE actors. Why manufacture an artificial divide? Perhaps reading the online program notes will put me in a better frame of mind. This concert is Friday at 8 pm at Jordan Hall, and also on Sunday at 7 pm.
Saturday
By far the most exciting thing this weekend is the Musica Sacra program on Saturday at 8 pm at the First Congregational Church near Harvard Square. This is programming I can get behind. I will quote from their website: "Featuring Morten Lauridsen's Mid-Winter Songs, Earl Kim's Some Thoughts on Keats and Coleridge, and works of Edward Elgar, Randall Thompson, and others." Now that looks like some interesting choral music. And how refreshing to have a group schedule their concert after Christmas, and concentrate on winter, rather than winter celebrations.
Bonus: You can tune in to Weekend America this Saturday, January 12 to hear an interview with music director Mary Beekman about Musica Sacra's upcoming concert, Blow, Thou Winter Wind. In the Boston area, this conversation with Marc Sanchez will be broadcast shortly after 3:30 on WBUR, 90.9 FM. You can also stream it live or download it as a podcast from http://weekendamerica.publicradio.org /.
Also in the exciting program category falls the Nashoba Valley Chorale's concert this Saturday at 8 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton in Littleton, MA. They will be doing the Cherubini Requiem, Schubert's Mass in C, and Hugo Wolf's "Der Feuerreiter". Cherubini's Requiem, if I'm recalling correctly, is a piece that made a huge impression on many composers, including Beethoven, who had great respect for him. It is rarely performed now, so this is a neat opportunity. More info about the concert is here. They are also performing it on Sunday at 3 pm at the Pepperell Community Church, Pepperell, MA.
Sunday
See above re: Nashoba Valley Singers and H&H.
On Monday, you can go audition for the Boston Gay Men's Chorus. (And no, you don't have to be gay, you just have to want to sing with a good chorus.)
Also, next Tuesday you can go to an open rehearsal of the Somerville Community Chorus, which has just a SMASHING accompanist (he's a friend) and see if you'd like to sing with them for the spring. Details here.
Man, now I'm feeling torn. I didn't intend to go to the Musica Sacra concert, and made other plans, but writing it up made me really excited about it. Maybe I'll have to go.
Either things are getting off to a slow start in January, or else the craziness of December skewed my idea of how much choral stuff goes on in Boston on any given weekend. I would have expected there to be slightly more than this, but I suppose everyone is still getting into the swing of the new year.
Friday (tonight!)
The Harvard Chamber Singers is performing tonight at First Church in Cambridge at 8 pm. They will be singing British Renaissance music - it looks good. More info is here.
I'm pretty sure this isn't choral, but Handel and Haydn is presenting a concert called "Baroque Jewels" which features "Baroque vocal and instrumental music." More information is here. I have to say I am a little cranky about the way they listed "singers" and "actors" on the website. Singers ARE actors. Why manufacture an artificial divide? Perhaps reading the online program notes will put me in a better frame of mind. This concert is Friday at 8 pm at Jordan Hall, and also on Sunday at 7 pm.
Saturday
By far the most exciting thing this weekend is the Musica Sacra program on Saturday at 8 pm at the First Congregational Church near Harvard Square. This is programming I can get behind. I will quote from their website: "Featuring Morten Lauridsen's Mid-Winter Songs, Earl Kim's Some Thoughts on Keats and Coleridge, and works of Edward Elgar, Randall Thompson, and others." Now that looks like some interesting choral music. And how refreshing to have a group schedule their concert after Christmas, and concentrate on winter, rather than winter celebrations.
Bonus: You can tune in to Weekend America this Saturday, January 12 to hear an interview with music director Mary Beekman about Musica Sacra's upcoming concert, Blow, Thou Winter Wind. In the Boston area, this conversation with Marc Sanchez will be broadcast shortly after 3:30 on WBUR, 90.9 FM. You can also stream it live or download it as a podcast from http://weekendameri
Also in the exciting program category falls the Nashoba Valley Chorale's concert this Saturday at 8 pm at the Congregational Church of Littleton in Littleton, MA. They will be doing the Cherubini Requiem, Schubert's Mass in C, and Hugo Wolf's "Der Feuerreiter". Cherubini's Requiem, if I'm recalling correctly, is a piece that made a huge impression on many composers, including Beethoven, who had great respect for him. It is rarely performed now, so this is a neat opportunity. More info about the concert is here. They are also performing it on Sunday at 3 pm at the Pepperell Community Church, Pepperell, MA.
Sunday
See above re: Nashoba Valley Singers and H&H.
On Monday, you can go audition for the Boston Gay Men's Chorus. (And no, you don't have to be gay, you just have to want to sing with a good chorus.)
Also, next Tuesday you can go to an open rehearsal of the Somerville Community Chorus, which has just a SMASHING accompanist (he's a friend) and see if you'd like to sing with them for the spring. Details here.
Man, now I'm feeling torn. I didn't intend to go to the Musica Sacra concert, and made other plans, but writing it up made me really excited about it. Maybe I'll have to go.
Wednesday, January 09, 2008
More news - Schizophonic is back!
More good news from the new year is that Schizophonic (remember that women's vocal group I put together last year?) is back! We have two new members, and we just had our first rehearsal yesterday. It went really well, and I am excited and invigorated for the future! Feel free to pass gigs our way - we would love to take on all possibilities!
We are probably going to change the name, however, since I have been getting not universally positive reactions to the whole "schizophrenic" punning, which strikes people as odd, potentially insulting, and open to misinterpretation. So stay tuned for news on the name.
One of the books I got for Christmas is A Circle of Quiet: The Crosswicks Journals, Book One by Madeleine L'Engle. It's a collection of her ideas on all sorts of things, and includes the following beautiful and relevant quote:
"There is a lovely Talmudic story that when the Children of Israel reached the Red Sea, and Moses struck his staff on the shore, the waters of the sea did not part to let them through. The Israelites stood there at the edge of the water, and nothing happened until one of the men plunged in. Then the waters rolled back."
Here's to plunging!
We are probably going to change the name, however, since I have been getting not universally positive reactions to the whole "schizophrenic" punning, which strikes people as odd, potentially insulting, and open to misinterpretation. So stay tuned for news on the name.
One of the books I got for Christmas is A Circle of Quiet: The Crosswicks Journals, Book One by Madeleine L'Engle. It's a collection of her ideas on all sorts of things, and includes the following beautiful and relevant quote:
"There is a lovely Talmudic story that when the Children of Israel reached the Red Sea, and Moses struck his staff on the shore, the waters of the sea did not part to let them through. The Israelites stood there at the edge of the water, and nothing happened until one of the men plunged in. Then the waters rolled back."
Here's to plunging!
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
Job Announcement!
This actually happened before Christmas, but since I just signed the contract today, and since I also just today went to my first committee meeting (ever! Now I'm a real UU!) I feel that it's safe to make the announcement. I'm going to be the Music Director at First Parish UU in Cohasset, MA starting on 2/1/08. I am delighted that my determination to work for the UU church has given me such a great opportunity!
Also, I now need to buy a car, since it's an hour away. So, if anyone knows of a kindly-used Honda, Toyota or Subaru (preferably four-wheel drive, and I would love a stick-shift) for sale, do please let me know.
Also, I now need to buy a car, since it's an hour away. So, if anyone knows of a kindly-used Honda, Toyota or Subaru (preferably four-wheel drive, and I would love a stick-shift) for sale, do please let me know.
Saturday, January 05, 2008
Some open rehearsals
As previously mentioned, this is one of the two times of year to join a chorus. And several choruses are having some open rehearsals in the upcoming weeks. So, if you want to join a chorus, there are some options for you, particularly for those out in the 'burbs. These are all women's choirs - sorry, guys!
Arlington:
Cantilena, an all-women's group, is having open rehearsals the first three Mondays in January. More details are on their website.
Concord:
The Concord Women's Chorus, a 45-voice chorus directed by Jane Ring Frank (who also founded and directs The Boston Secession) will hold open rehearsals on January 15 and 22, 2008, at 9:30 am at Trinity Episcopal Chorus, 81 Elm Street, Concord, MA. Brief auditions will be held at the end of the 9/25 rehearsal. For more information see their website or call (978) 772-2445.
Natick:
The A Cappella Singers, an all-women's group, is having open rehearsals on 1/14 and 1/21. Click on their website to get a general idea of their personality and repertoire. However, the website doesn't appear to have updated open rehearsals details, so here they are:
Where: Fisk Methodist Church 106 Walnut Street, Natick, MA
When: 1/14 and 1/21, 7:00-9:30 pm
What: Open rehearsals and auditions for those interested.
I'm sure some of you have made a New Year's resolution to start singing again, or singing more, or to just do something artistic in the coming year. Here's your chance!
Arlington:
Cantilena, an all-women's group, is having open rehearsals the first three Mondays in January. More details are on their website.
Concord:
The Concord Women's Chorus, a 45-voice chorus directed by Jane Ring Frank (who also founded and directs The Boston Secession) will hold open rehearsals on January 15 and 22, 2008, at 9:30 am at Trinity Episcopal Chorus, 81 Elm Street, Concord, MA. Brief auditions will be held at the end of the 9/25 rehearsal. For more information see their website or call (978) 772-2445.
Natick:
The A Cappella Singers, an all-women's group, is having open rehearsals on 1/14 and 1/21. Click on their website to get a general idea of their personality and repertoire. However, the website doesn't appear to have updated open rehearsals details, so here they are:
Where: Fisk Methodist Church 106 Walnut Street, Natick, MA
When: 1/14 and 1/21, 7:00-9:30 pm
What: Open rehearsals and auditions for those interested.
I'm sure some of you have made a New Year's resolution to start singing again, or singing more, or to just do something artistic in the coming year. Here's your chance!
Correction!
Correction - the concert I am in tomorrow is at 2 pm, not 3. 2 pm! Don't come at 3 pm, or you'll miss almost the entire thing!
Thursday, January 03, 2008
Weekend Concert Calendar, 1/3/08
Happy New Year to all! It is time for the first concert calendar of the new year. I left this until rather late today, as I stayed up too late playing Settlers of Catan with my brother and his fiancée. Luckily for my sleep schedule, your options this weekend are pretty short.
In fact, the only interesting thing I can find for you on Friday or Saturday is a performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors being put on by the Cape Cod Opera Company. These performances are, unsurprisingly, being held on Cape Cod. Details here.
Sunday there is a little more variety. My pick is, of course, moi-self. Cappella Clausura (including yours truly) will be performing at Forsyth Chapel at the Forest Hills Cemetary (near the Forest Hills T-stop) at 3 pm this Sunday. This is a reprise of our November performances, so if you missed it, you are in luck - you get a second chance! Gorgeous music! And, er, oh crap, I just remembered that I think I have some solo bits. Hm.
Moving right along, we have a few other options. Lowell House Opera at Harvard is hosting a masterclass with David Stockton on Sunday at 1 pm, and you can sit in and listen for free. If you are in East Weymouth, you can attend "A Little Christmas in Jackson Square," which is an Epiphany concert at 3 pm. And...I think that's it. No worries, there will be more next week!
In fact, the only interesting thing I can find for you on Friday or Saturday is a performance of Amahl and the Night Visitors being put on by the Cape Cod Opera Company. These performances are, unsurprisingly, being held on Cape Cod. Details here.
Sunday there is a little more variety. My pick is, of course, moi-self. Cappella Clausura (including yours truly) will be performing at Forsyth Chapel at the Forest Hills Cemetary (near the Forest Hills T-stop) at 3 pm this Sunday. This is a reprise of our November performances, so if you missed it, you are in luck - you get a second chance! Gorgeous music! And, er, oh crap, I just remembered that I think I have some solo bits. Hm.
Moving right along, we have a few other options. Lowell House Opera at Harvard is hosting a masterclass with David Stockton on Sunday at 1 pm, and you can sit in and listen for free. If you are in East Weymouth, you can attend "A Little Christmas in Jackson Square," which is an Epiphany concert at 3 pm. And...I think that's it. No worries, there will be more next week!
Saturday, December 29, 2007
First Night
One more quick tip before I nip out of town. If you are staying in Boston, don't miss First Night, a celebration of the arts all over the city. There are mini-concerts all over the city at all times - it's like musical dim sum! To check out the listings, go to the First Night Boston site.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Christmas Revels!
I just had the enormous enjoyment of seeing the Christmas Revels. One of the nice perks of working for The Boston Cecilia is that as a member of ArtsBoston, we occasionally get e-mails alerting us to free ticket offers for ArtsBoston members. Usually I can't take advantage of these because they are sent out almost the day of the performance, usually at the end of a run. However, yesterday I got a note that ArtsBoston members could pick up free tickets to the Christmas Revels, so tonight I took my parents.
It was great fun, as it always is. The Christmas Revels happens every year in Sanders Theatre (and other places in other states) and is a winter solstice singing/dancing/story-telling performance that focuses on a different area of the world each year. This year was the year of the Balkans. It was very well done, very tight and well-paced, and hugely enjoyable. Special props go to Libana's singing, which really had the proper gritty thrilling Balkan's women sound; the dancers, and most especially lead dancer and choreographer Petar Petrov, who were exuberant, and had fascinating feet; the mummers, especially Sarah Hebert-Johnson as Room and the aptly named Rowan Swanson as the Tree of Life, both of whom were very charming actors; and last but not least narrator Debra Wise, who was just incredibly charismatic and wonderful in all ways. There are some people whom you just love to watch on stage. A quick Google search shows that she is the artistic director of the Underground Railway Theater, about which I currently know nothing, but if it means seeing her perform, I will definitely look into learning more.
My one complaint is that since Revels started out very firmly rooted in the English solstice tradition, they feel the need to incorporate certain elements of that tradition every year, and I found the juxtaposition of Balkan and English a little awkward. The main Balkan section flowed so well that to suddenly have Morris dancers appear, or to have the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, or to be singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" at the beginning of the performance did not really work for me. I do recognize that there are certain things that people look forward to every year, and that it would be hard for Revels to cut out, say, "The Lord of the Dance" that traditionally ends the first half. But I do wish that we could have sung some Balkan carols at the beginning instead of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."
However, that was my only quibble, and it was a minor one, and was about programming, not performances, which were uniformly excellent. You have two more days, so if you have time, I heartily recommend this year's Revels!
And now, I am off to my own traditional New Year's celebration in the Berkshires, so won't be posting until next year. I wish you all splendid New Year's celebrations of your own - Wolcum Yole!
It was great fun, as it always is. The Christmas Revels happens every year in Sanders Theatre (and other places in other states) and is a winter solstice singing/dancing/story-telling performance that focuses on a different area of the world each year. This year was the year of the Balkans. It was very well done, very tight and well-paced, and hugely enjoyable. Special props go to Libana's singing, which really had the proper gritty thrilling Balkan's women sound; the dancers, and most especially lead dancer and choreographer Petar Petrov, who were exuberant, and had fascinating feet; the mummers, especially Sarah Hebert-Johnson as Room and the aptly named Rowan Swanson as the Tree of Life, both of whom were very charming actors; and last but not least narrator Debra Wise, who was just incredibly charismatic and wonderful in all ways. There are some people whom you just love to watch on stage. A quick Google search shows that she is the artistic director of the Underground Railway Theater, about which I currently know nothing, but if it means seeing her perform, I will definitely look into learning more.
My one complaint is that since Revels started out very firmly rooted in the English solstice tradition, they feel the need to incorporate certain elements of that tradition every year, and I found the juxtaposition of Balkan and English a little awkward. The main Balkan section flowed so well that to suddenly have Morris dancers appear, or to have the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance, or to be singing "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" at the beginning of the performance did not really work for me. I do recognize that there are certain things that people look forward to every year, and that it would be hard for Revels to cut out, say, "The Lord of the Dance" that traditionally ends the first half. But I do wish that we could have sung some Balkan carols at the beginning instead of "We Wish You A Merry Christmas."
However, that was my only quibble, and it was a minor one, and was about programming, not performances, which were uniformly excellent. You have two more days, so if you have time, I heartily recommend this year's Revels!
And now, I am off to my own traditional New Year's celebration in the Berkshires, so won't be posting until next year. I wish you all splendid New Year's celebrations of your own - Wolcum Yole!
Weekend Concert Eh, 12/28/07
Well, I'm a day late with the weekend concert calendar, but since the offerings are thin, I doubt the lack of timely information really hurt anybody's musical plans, eh?
You can still go see the Christmas Revels. I highly recommend it this year, having just been myself! And Boston Baroque is ringing in the new year with performances of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Bach's Wedding Cantata on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 8 pm and Tue Jan 1, 2008 at 3 pm.
And...that's it! Never fear, the very first weekend of the new year will feature some very exciting offerings, including yours truly...so stay tuned!
You can still go see the Christmas Revels. I highly recommend it this year, having just been myself! And Boston Baroque is ringing in the new year with performances of Vivaldi's Four Seasons and Bach's Wedding Cantata on Mon Dec 31, 2007 at 8 pm and Tue Jan 1, 2008 at 3 pm.
And...that's it! Never fear, the very first weekend of the new year will feature some very exciting offerings, including yours truly...so stay tuned!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Auditions in January
Merry Boxing Day to all! If you celebrated Christmas, I hope it was happy and bright; if you did not, I hope you had a splendid winter's day.
For those of you looking to sing with someone, January is the second prime time of the year (after August/September) for auditions. The Back Bay Chorale is having auditions, and they are a splendid group to sing with (Mark, that means you!); more auditions can be found if you keep your eye on the Greater Boston Choral Consortium website. And if you are a second alto or a tenor, The Boston Cecilia just might be interested in hearing you as well.
For those of you looking to sing with someone, January is the second prime time of the year (after August/September) for auditions. The Back Bay Chorale is having auditions, and they are a splendid group to sing with (Mark, that means you!); more auditions can be found if you keep your eye on the Greater Boston Choral Consortium website. And if you are a second alto or a tenor, The Boston Cecilia just might be interested in hearing you as well.
Thursday, December 20, 2007
Weekend Concert Calendar PS
But wait! If you are willing to branch out from choral music, you have another stellar concert option on Saturday evening!
My father (who is the father of not only one, but two stellar bloggers of future renown) is a member of the New England Brass Band (NEBB for short.) They are a stellar brass ensemble based in the Boston area, and directed by Douglas Yeo, who plays bass trombone for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, they won the Honors division of the North American Brass Band Championships.
Second only to choirs, of course, few ensembles are as evocative of the Christmas season as brass ensembles. On Saturday at 7 pm at the Free Christian Church, 31 Elm St, Andover, MA, they will presenting a holiday concert that is sure to be tight, tuned, and generally terrific. Hope to see you there!
My father (who is the father of not only one, but two stellar bloggers of future renown) is a member of the New England Brass Band (NEBB for short.) They are a stellar brass ensemble based in the Boston area, and directed by Douglas Yeo, who plays bass trombone for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In 2006, they won the Honors division of the North American Brass Band Championships.
Second only to choirs, of course, few ensembles are as evocative of the Christmas season as brass ensembles. On Saturday at 7 pm at the Free Christian Church, 31 Elm St, Andover, MA, they will presenting a holiday concert that is sure to be tight, tuned, and generally terrific. Hope to see you there!
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/20/07
Whew. Well, if you are in Boston, we are honestly getting to the weather point where I can't blame you if you stay inside and bake cookies all weekend instead of hearing some choral music. However, if you are a hardier soul than I (or just are a total weirdo who actually likes snow) here are some options! There are some very fine concerts this week, so it is probably worth your while to put on your snow pants.
First of all, I just trudged out to Andover for a rehearsal in a snowstorm, so all I can say is that it sure would be nice if people heard the performance! On Sunday at 5 pm, the choir of Christ Church in Andover (plus me!) under the direction of Barbara Bruns will be presenting a Lessons and Carols at 5 pm, which will include a full performance of Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols. This is a reschedule from last week, when it had to be cancelled due to (surprise!) a snowstorm. It's really sounding quite beautiful, and Barbara is a very careful and subtle conductor, who really gets good things out of her choir. Plus, I have a four-bar solo! Sunday, 5 pm, Christ Church in Andover - directions are here.
My other pick for the week is definitely the Blue Heron concert on Saturday. Blue Heron is a professional Renaissance choir, and although I've never had the delight of hearing them myself (and won't this Saturday either) their reputation is for truly stunning performances. They are our very own local Tallis Scholars, although I suspect they might be even better. They will be performing a program called "A Medieval English Christmas and a Burgundian New Year" on Saturday at 8 pm at the First Church in Cambridge (the Congregational one.) Details are on their elegant and navigable website.
And, working backwards in time (we've already covered Sunday and Saturday) my pick for Friday night would be the Chorus pro Musica concert conducted by Lisa Graham at 8 pm at Old South Church in Copley Square. It is late and I am tired, so I will just quote directly from their press release: "Celebrate the mystery and joy of the season with this concert of elegant and festive music, including the Christmas Cantata by Boston composer Daniel Pinkham for chorus and brilliant brass. The program includes the sublime "Let all mortal flesh keep silence," set by Gustav Holst, and Morten Lauridsen's "O magnum mysterium." Keeping with long tradition, there will be a candlelight procession and opportunities for the audience to join in singing carols. Joining the chorus for this concert will be the New England Conservatory Children's Chorus (Jean Meltaus, Director) and the Riverside Brass Quartet."
What else is on this weekend? Not a whole lot, especially compared to last week. I think this is because most musicians are frantically scurrying around trying to prepare for all their Christmas services this week. In fact, there are pretty much no other options for Friday and Saturday, so it's a good thing that your one option for each night is so stellar! A few more on Sunday...
Sunday:
On Sunday at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church in Camden, you can hear Saint-Saens' Christmas Oratorio (which I am fascinated by, b/c I haven't heard of this piece.) I couldn't find many details, but there is an address and phone number on this website.
If you are out west, then on Sunday at 7 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Northampton you can join a Messiah sing! Hosted by Commonwealth Opera - details on their website.
Monday evening, of course, features tons of beautiful services at every church anywhere, but one choice is to hear Pinkham's Christmas Cantata at the Lessons and Carols service at King's Chapel on Tremont Street at 10:30 pm.
First of all, I just trudged out to Andover for a rehearsal in a snowstorm, so all I can say is that it sure would be nice if people heard the performance! On Sunday at 5 pm, the choir of Christ Church in Andover (plus me!) under the direction of Barbara Bruns will be presenting a Lessons and Carols at 5 pm, which will include a full performance of Benjamin Britten's Ceremony of Carols. This is a reschedule from last week, when it had to be cancelled due to (surprise!) a snowstorm. It's really sounding quite beautiful, and Barbara is a very careful and subtle conductor, who really gets good things out of her choir. Plus, I have a four-bar solo! Sunday, 5 pm, Christ Church in Andover - directions are here.
My other pick for the week is definitely the Blue Heron concert on Saturday. Blue Heron is a professional Renaissance choir, and although I've never had the delight of hearing them myself (and won't this Saturday either) their reputation is for truly stunning performances. They are our very own local Tallis Scholars, although I suspect they might be even better. They will be performing a program called "A Medieval English Christmas and a Burgundian New Year" on Saturday at 8 pm at the First Church in Cambridge (the Congregational one.) Details are on their elegant and navigable website.
And, working backwards in time (we've already covered Sunday and Saturday) my pick for Friday night would be the Chorus pro Musica concert conducted by Lisa Graham at 8 pm at Old South Church in Copley Square. It is late and I am tired, so I will just quote directly from their press release: "Celebrate the mystery and joy of the season with this concert of elegant and festive music, including the Christmas Cantata by Boston composer Daniel Pinkham for chorus and brilliant brass. The program includes the sublime "Let all mortal flesh keep silence," set by Gustav Holst, and Morten Lauridsen's "O magnum mysterium." Keeping with long tradition, there will be a candlelight procession and opportunities for the audience to join in singing carols. Joining the chorus for this concert will be the New England Conservatory Children's Chorus (Jean Meltaus, Director) and the Riverside Brass Quartet."
What else is on this weekend? Not a whole lot, especially compared to last week. I think this is because most musicians are frantically scurrying around trying to prepare for all their Christmas services this week. In fact, there are pretty much no other options for Friday and Saturday, so it's a good thing that your one option for each night is so stellar! A few more on Sunday...
Sunday:
On Sunday at 7 pm at the First Congregational Church in Camden, you can hear Saint-Saens' Christmas Oratorio (which I am fascinated by, b/c I haven't heard of this piece.) I couldn't find many details, but there is an address and phone number on this website.
If you are out west, then on Sunday at 7 pm at St. John's Episcopal Church in Northampton you can join a Messiah sing! Hosted by Commonwealth Opera - details on their website.
Monday evening, of course, features tons of beautiful services at every church anywhere, but one choice is to hear Pinkham's Christmas Cantata at the Lessons and Carols service at King's Chapel on Tremont Street at 10:30 pm.
Monday, December 17, 2007
G&S Medical spoof
Via friend AN, we have a Gilbert and Sullivan patter-song on, what else, psychopharmacology. (Thank goodness for subtitles is what I have to say!)
Friday, December 14, 2007
Caroling Mob
I believe it got a bit hidden in the mass of choralocity I listed yesterday, but I just wanted to highlight the Caroling Mob (who are organized enough to have their own website.) On Sunday at 4 pm, you can join Joel Sindelar and the Loose Canon Chorale at the Stony Brook T-stop, and then wander around JP singing to people, ending up with warm drinks (don't forget to bring a mug!) Haven't you always wanted to really, truly wassail someone? I'll be up in Andover singing Britten - that means someone should appoint themselves my deputy and go sing and then tell me how it is!
This of course brings to mind the following exchange from Ruddigore:
Mad Margaret: But see, they come – Sir Despard and his evil crew! Hide, hide – they are all mad – quite mad!
Rose: What makes you think that?
Mad Margaret: Hush! They sing choruses in public. That’s mad enough, I think!
Raise your glass to a bit of holiday insanity!
This of course brings to mind the following exchange from Ruddigore:
Mad Margaret: But see, they come – Sir Despard and his evil crew! Hide, hide – they are all mad – quite mad!
Rose: What makes you think that?
Mad Margaret: Hush! They sing choruses in public. That’s mad enough, I think!
Raise your glass to a bit of holiday insanity!
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/13/07
First off, it should go without saying that you are NOT TO GO ANYWHERE tonight if you live in Boston. Everything is cancelled anyways, so just bake some cookies, brew some tea, and listen to a DVD of The Messiah or something.
However, on Friday, the fun begins! It's December in Boston, which means that there is more choral music than you can shake a stick at, so I will just give you the bare bones of each concert. Buckle your seatbelts - this will take a while!
My (non-choral) pick for Friday is friend Josh Lawton, who will present an organ concert at Church of the Holy Name in West Roxbury at 8:00 pm. He says, "The program will last a little over an hour, and will include the complete Nativité du Seigneur, Olivier Messiaen's first big programmatic cycle for organ, and probably his most popular as well. The concert will be free, with donations accepted at the door." He's a very good organist, and has a distinct flair for concert programming - come on by!
Also on Friday, December 14:
5:30 pm at the Church of the Advent in Boston, the Choirs of St. Paul's School present Lessons and Carols.
6:00 pm at Marsh Chapel at BU, the Marsh Chapel Choirs present a Lessons and Carols service.
7:30 pm at Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, the Vienna Boys Choir is in town!
7:30 pm (also at 3:00 and 7:30 on Saturday, and 3:00 on Sunday) the Indian Hill Music School Opera Workshop presents Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Camilla Blackman Hall, 36 King Street, Littleton, MA.
7:30 pm (also Saturday at 7:30) at Jordan Hall, Boston Baroque presents Handel's Messiah.
7:30 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal in Wellesley, the SAPAS men's chorus and Katherine Evans present An Evening with Brahms.
8:00 pm at the First Church in Cambridge, The Boston Camerata presents A Renaissance Christmas.
8:00 pm at the Tabernacle Church in Salem, MA, The Paul Madore Chorale presents A Concert for Christmas: Gabrieli, Charpentier and Pinkham.
And starting on Friday and going through the end of the month, The Christmas Revels returns to Sanders Theater!
My pick for Saturday is The Back Bay Chorale. On Saturday at 8:00 pm at Emmanuel Church in Boston, Scott Allen Jarrett will lead the chorale in A Boston Christmas - The Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham plus holiday selections. They will repeat the program on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3:00 pm at Marsh Chapel on the BU campus.
Also on Saturday, December 15:
2:00 pm at the Arlington Street Church in Boston, the Boston Gay Men's Chorus presents a Family Holiday Matinee.
4:00 pm at Chapel of St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT (a hike, but probably worth it!) the women of Concora present Britten's Ceremony of Carols and other Christmas music. I don't know anything about this group, but they look pretty cool.
4:00 pm at Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston, the Trinity Church Choirs present Candlelight Carols. Again at 7 pm on Sunday. (There is also a benefit concert on Sunday at 4 pm.)
4:30 pm at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Charlestown, there will be an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols.
7:30 pm at Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, North Andover, The New England Classical Singers presents Wassail! Wassail! A program of traditional English Carols, Renaissance Works, and Christmas Spirituals.
7:30 pm at Christ Lutheran Church on Falmouth, the Solstice Singers present "O Sing of Light." (Repeats on Sunsay at 4 pm.)
And my pick for Sunday is me! I will be joining a performance of Britten's Ceremony of Carols at Christ Church in Andover. Come on by!
Or go and join the Christmas Caroling Mob at 4 pm at the Stony Brook T-stop! Serenade Jamaica Plain!
Also on Sunday:
I don't think I caught this one in my Messiah-sing round-up. 1:30 pm at the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St., Concord Center, MA, the Concord Orchestra will play some Handel and Bach, and then host a Messiah sing-along.
3:00 pm at Our Lady's Help of Christians Church, Washington St., Newton, MA, the Newton Community Chorus presents Handel's Messiah.
3:00 at St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St., W. Roxbury, MA, the Choirs of Holy Name and St. Theresa of Avila Parishes present their Annual Advent and Christmas Concert.
3:00 at St. Paul's Church in Harvard Sq., Cambridge, the Boston Boy Choir presents a Carol Festival.
3:00 pm at Jordan Hall, the Handel and Haydn Society's performs Bach's Christmas Oratorio. (You can also hear this on Wed., Dec. 18 at 8 pm at the same place.)
3:30 pm at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, enjoy a choral and handbell concert by students of the school.
4:00 pm at the Parish of All Saints, 209 Ashmont St., Dorchester, MA, the All Saints Choir of Men and Boys presents . This one looks neat - the choir has good credentials.
4:00 pm at the First Unitarian Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St., W Newton, MA, Youth Pro Musica presents their annual winter concert (including Britten's Ceremony of Carols.)
4:00 pm at the Regis College Fine Arts Center, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA, Boston's Saengerfest Men's Chorus presents a Christmas Concert with the Worcester Brass Consort.
4:00 pm at Christ Church, Zero Garden St., Cambridge, MA, the Christ Church Choirs present a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
7:00 pm at the Longy School of Music, the Longy Chamber Choir presents Schutz and Bach.
7:00 pm at First Parish of Westwood, the St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble presents Russian sacred and folk music.
And of course, don't forget all those Messiah sings! I didn't list them again here, but the Masterworks sings are also this weekend!
Oh, and do me a favor - if this is useful to you, and you go to one of these concerts, leave me a comment about it!
However, on Friday, the fun begins! It's December in Boston, which means that there is more choral music than you can shake a stick at, so I will just give you the bare bones of each concert. Buckle your seatbelts - this will take a while!
My (non-choral) pick for Friday is friend Josh Lawton, who will present an organ concert at Church of the Holy Name in West Roxbury at 8:00 pm. He says, "The program will last a little over an hour, and will include the complete Nativité du Seigneur, Olivier Messiaen's first big programmatic cycle for organ, and probably his most popular as well. The concert will be free, with donations accepted at the door." He's a very good organist, and has a distinct flair for concert programming - come on by!
Also on Friday, December 14:
5:30 pm at the Church of the Advent in Boston, the Choirs of St. Paul's School present Lessons and Carols.
6:00 pm at Marsh Chapel at BU, the Marsh Chapel Choirs present a Lessons and Carols service.
7:30 pm at Lowell Memorial Auditorium in Lowell, the Vienna Boys Choir is in town!
7:30 pm (also at 3:00 and 7:30 on Saturday, and 3:00 on Sunday) the Indian Hill Music School Opera Workshop presents Amahl and the Night Visitors at the Camilla Blackman Hall, 36 King Street, Littleton, MA.
7:30 pm (also Saturday at 7:30) at Jordan Hall, Boston Baroque presents Handel's Messiah.
7:30 pm at St. Andrew's Episcopal in Wellesley, the SAPAS men's chorus and Katherine Evans present An Evening with Brahms.
8:00 pm at the First Church in Cambridge, The Boston Camerata presents A Renaissance Christmas.
8:00 pm at the Tabernacle Church in Salem, MA, The Paul Madore Chorale presents A Concert for Christmas: Gabrieli, Charpentier and Pinkham.
And starting on Friday and going through the end of the month, The Christmas Revels returns to Sanders Theater!
My pick for Saturday is The Back Bay Chorale. On Saturday at 8:00 pm at Emmanuel Church in Boston, Scott Allen Jarrett will lead the chorale in A Boston Christmas - The Christmas Cantata by Daniel Pinkham plus holiday selections. They will repeat the program on Sunday, Dec. 16 at 3:00 pm at Marsh Chapel on the BU campus.
Also on Saturday, December 15:
2:00 pm at the Arlington Street Church in Boston, the Boston Gay Men's Chorus presents a Family Holiday Matinee.
4:00 pm at Chapel of St. Joseph College, West Hartford, CT (a hike, but probably worth it!) the women of Concora present Britten's Ceremony of Carols and other Christmas music. I don't know anything about this group, but they look pretty cool.
4:00 pm at Trinity Church in Copley Square, Boston, the Trinity Church Choirs present Candlelight Carols. Again at 7 pm on Sunday. (There is also a benefit concert on Sunday at 4 pm.)
4:30 pm at St. Johns Episcopal Church in Charlestown, there will be an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols.
7:30 pm at Rogers Center for the Arts, Merrimack College, North Andover, The New England Classical Singers presents Wassail! Wassail! A program of traditional English Carols, Renaissance Works, and Christmas Spirituals.
7:30 pm at Christ Lutheran Church on Falmouth, the Solstice Singers present "O Sing of Light." (Repeats on Sunsay at 4 pm.)
And my pick for Sunday is me! I will be joining a performance of Britten's Ceremony of Carols at Christ Church in Andover. Come on by!
Or go and join the Christmas Caroling Mob at 4 pm at the Stony Brook T-stop! Serenade Jamaica Plain!
Also on Sunday:
I don't think I caught this one in my Messiah-sing round-up. 1:30 pm at the Performing Arts Center, 51 Walden St., Concord Center, MA, the Concord Orchestra will play some Handel and Bach, and then host a Messiah sing-along.
3:00 pm at Our Lady's Help of Christians Church, Washington St., Newton, MA, the Newton Community Chorus presents Handel's Messiah.
3:00 at St. Theresa of Avila Church, 2078 Centre St., W. Roxbury, MA, the Choirs of Holy Name and St. Theresa of Avila Parishes present their Annual Advent and Christmas Concert.
3:00 at St. Paul's Church in Harvard Sq., Cambridge, the Boston Boy Choir presents a Carol Festival.
3:00 pm at Jordan Hall, the Handel and Haydn Society's performs Bach's Christmas Oratorio. (You can also hear this on Wed., Dec. 18 at 8 pm at the same place.)
3:30 pm at the Perkins School for the Blind in Watertown, enjoy a choral and handbell concert by students of the school.
4:00 pm at the Parish of All Saints, 209 Ashmont St., Dorchester, MA, the All Saints Choir of Men and Boys presents . This one looks neat - the choir has good credentials.
4:00 pm at the First Unitarian Society in Newton, 1326 Washington St., W Newton, MA, Youth Pro Musica presents their annual winter concert (including Britten's Ceremony of Carols.)
4:00 pm at the Regis College Fine Arts Center, 235 Wellesley St., Weston, MA, Boston's Saengerfest Men's Chorus presents a Christmas Concert with the Worcester Brass Consort.
4:00 pm at Christ Church, Zero Garden St., Cambridge, MA, the Christ Church Choirs present a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.
7:00 pm at the Longy School of Music, the Longy Chamber Choir presents Schutz and Bach.
7:00 pm at First Parish of Westwood, the St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble presents Russian sacred and folk music.
And of course, don't forget all those Messiah sings! I didn't list them again here, but the Masterworks sings are also this weekend!
Oh, and do me a favor - if this is useful to you, and you go to one of these concerts, leave me a comment about it!
Monday, December 10, 2007
Messiah Sings
Over a week ago, intrepid reader Carolyn asked about local Messiah Sings. Some have already happened, but here is what’s left (with thanks to my dad for clueing me in to many of them.)
This Thursday, December 13, you can join the 36th Annual Messiah Sing at Harvard University’s Dunster House. From their website: “Everybody is invited to join us in this year's Messiah Sing on Thursday, Dec. 13 at 8:00 pm in the Dunster dining hall with the Mozart Society Orchestra and splendid undergraduate soloists. You, the audience members, sing the choir parts, or you can just sit and listen. Scores and refreshments will be provided. It's a great event and always a lot of fun. Don't miss it!!” A note says, “You can enter through the G-entryway on the Cowperthwaite street side of the building.” Here is an approximate Google map (I made up the number 5, but it’s a short street, and the maps shows you where it is.) Scores available.
I can personally vouch for the Messiah Sings annually hosted by the Masterworks Chorale, having enjoyed several of them in past years. They will host two, Friday, December 14 and Saturday, December 15, 2007 at 8:00 pm
Also on Friday, December 14, at 7:30 pm the Wakefield First Congregational Church will host a Messiah Sing (Part I and the Hallelujah Chorus.) The address is 1 Church St, Wakefield, MA. Scores available.
On Sunday, December 16 at 7:30 pm, the Powers Music School in Belmont is hosting a Messiah Sing at the Payson Park Church, 365 Belmont Street in Belmont. Here is the website for Belmont Open Sings. Scores available.
Also on Sunday, December 16, at 3:30 pm, the Assabet Valley Mastersingers are hosting a Messiah Sing at Trinity Church, 23 Main St. in Northborough.
Also on Sunday, December 16, at 5 pm, the Harvard UU church (of Harvard, MA, that is) is hosting a Messiah sing. (Some) details are available both on the boston.com site and the church website.
On Wednesday, December 19 at 12:15 pm (wacky time, but take a long lunch!) there will be a Messiah sing at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, 138 Tremont St. in Boston. EDIT: They provide scores if you don't have one of your own. Thanks to intrepid reader My Dad for the tip!
And if you just want to hear the Messiah, the Cambridge Community Chorus will oblige you with a performance this Sunday, December 16, at 3 pm at Kresge Auditorium, MIT, 84 Mass. Ave, Cambridge. Boston Baroque, Phillips Academy, and the Newton Community Chorus are also willing to oblige you – details on their websites.
NY Phil to visit North Korea
Well, well, well. The New York Philharmonic is going to head over to North Korea in February. Maybe they'll all make a movie together!
Twelve Days of Christmas, A Cappella Style
I'm happy to say the Boston Cecilia concerts went well, even though yesterday I lost my voice and had to manage the concert with no vocal chords. (And by the way, what is up with the fact that everybody starting signing things at me? Or mouthing? I lost my voice, not my hearing! Just because I'm gesticulating at you and whispering doesn't mean you need to return the favor. Oy.) I am very grateful to Boston Cares for providing ushers, one of whom was nice enough to stand around and be my voice.
Anyways, a little Advent treat. From friend RB, Straight No Chaser performs their version of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Anyways, a little Advent treat. From friend RB, Straight No Chaser performs their version of The Twelve Days of Christmas.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Weekend Concert Calendar, 12/6/07
I am sorry to say that yours truly has come down with a nasty case of the flu, the highlight of which is an extremely swollen throat, not to mention fever, chills, aches, exhaustion, etc. So, you will not be getting your usual thorough review of the local choral offerings for this weekend. You will only get three, for which I feel a distinct personal attachment.
High on your priority list is The Boston Cecilia's holiday concert, called O Magnum Mysterium. This will be on Friday (tomorrow!) December 7 at Church of the Advent in Beacon Hill at 8 pm, and also on Sunday, December 9 at All Saints Parish in Brookline at 3 pm. The chorus will be singing some really beautiful, spiritual music by Britten, Tavener, Victoria, and more. If you went to my graduate conducting recital, you will recognize at least one piece - Village Wedding by John Tavener. This is going to be a very beautiful, ethereal concert. Friends AG and JL will be singing in the chorus. And on Friday, my dad will be conducting one of the pieces! My parents both came to Cecilia's gala last fall, and my dad bid on, and won, the chance to conduct Cecilia. It's his conducting debut - come support him! (On Sunday, I will be conducting the same piece - since it's the only accompanied piece on the program, and the conductor is accompanying it, she needed another conductor for Sunday's performance. I think she appreciated the symmetry.)
That leaves your Saturday free. You have two options. (Well, you probably have a billion, because it's December in Boston, but I'm going to inform you of two.)
The Cambridge Madrigal Singers, featuring friend JS, will be performing “Rise Up, Shepherd: Renaissance and Contemporary Christmas Music.” They will be singing Saturday December, 8th at 8 p.m. at the Harvard Epworth United Methodist Church , 1555 Massachusetts Ave , Cambridge. They will also be singing Sunday, December 9th at4 p.m. at the Lindsey Chapel at Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St. , Boston. Tickets are $18; $12 for students and seniors. More information is here. I used to sing with this group, and I remember always getting to do interesting programs. I am going to try and get to the concert, but it rather depends on how I'm feeling.
Also, the Oriana Consort, directed by the delightful and energetic Walter Chapin, will be singing on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 8:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church of Boston. More information, as well as the program, can be found here.
I am now off to order some takeout and climb back into bed. Wish me luck getting through two concerts to manage, not to mention a rehearsal on Saturday morning, this weekend!
High on your priority list is The Boston Cecilia's holiday concert, called O Magnum Mysterium. This will be on Friday (tomorrow!) December 7 at Church of the Advent in Beacon Hill at 8 pm, and also on Sunday, December 9 at All Saints Parish in Brookline at 3 pm. The chorus will be singing some really beautiful, spiritual music by Britten, Tavener, Victoria, and more. If you went to my graduate conducting recital, you will recognize at least one piece - Village Wedding by John Tavener. This is going to be a very beautiful, ethereal concert. Friends AG and JL will be singing in the chorus. And on Friday, my dad will be conducting one of the pieces! My parents both came to Cecilia's gala last fall, and my dad bid on, and won, the chance to conduct Cecilia. It's his conducting debut - come support him! (On Sunday, I will be conducting the same piece - since it's the only accompanied piece on the program, and the conductor is accompanying it, she needed another conductor for Sunday's performance. I think she appreciated the symmetry.)
That leaves your Saturday free. You have two options. (Well, you probably have a billion, because it's December in Boston, but I'm going to inform you of two.)
The Cambridge Madrigal Singers, featuring friend JS, will be performing “Rise Up, Shepherd: Renaissance and Contemporary Christmas Music.” They will be singing Saturday December, 8th at 8 p.m. at the Harvard Epworth United Methodist Church , 1555 Massachusetts Ave , Cambridge. They will also be singing Sunday, December 9th at4 p.m. at the Lindsey Chapel at Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St. , Boston. Tickets are $18; $12 for students and seniors. More information is here. I used to sing with this group, and I remember always getting to do interesting programs. I am going to try and get to the concert, but it rather depends on how I'm feeling.
Also, the Oriana Consort, directed by the delightful and energetic Walter Chapin, will be singing on Saturday, December 8, 2007 at 8:00 pm at the First Lutheran Church of Boston. More information, as well as the program, can be found here.
I am now off to order some takeout and climb back into bed. Wish me luck getting through two concerts to manage, not to mention a rehearsal on Saturday morning, this weekend!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Weekend Concert Calendar, 11/29/07
It's Thursday! Time to see how you should spend your weekend! In no particular order...
First and foremost, both because it's cool, and I think perhaps it has not been well advertised, the Longwood Symphony and New World Chorale will perform Janacek's Glagolitic Mass. Jordan Hall, Saturday at 8 pm. I am very sorry I am already tied up on Saturday, because this ought to be awesome. For more information on this piece, (hang on while I scan Google)...well, I can't find anything great in under a minute, so check out this review from the New York Times, and perhaps I will post a little cliff notes to this piece at a later date.
It is after Thanksgiving, and that means your holiday concert season has begun. Start things off with a bang by seeing Handel and Haydn perform Messiah at Symphony Hall! Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 3:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
On Friday and Sunday, the Boston Choral Ensemble is performing a concert called Madrigalia. This looks pretty cool, I must say. Friday at 8 at First Church Cambridge, and Sunday at 2 at the Church of St. John the Evangelist.
On Friday at 8 pm, the most excellent and esteemed (he's the director at the church where I sing!) Jonathan Barnhart leads the Dedham Chorale in A German Christmas. Check it out at St. Paul's Cathedral in Boston. They will perform the same program on Sunday at 3 pm in Dedham.
On Friday at 8 pm, the Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus presents "A Not Quite Winter Concerts" - music of Guerrero, Chatman, Barber, and Walker. Check it out at the Payson Park Church in Belmont.
On Saturday at 7:30, Polymnia Choral Society will perform "Midnight Mass for Christmas" by Marc-Antoine Charpentier as well as a set by Emma Lou Diemer. Charpentier is definitely one of those "greatest composers you've never heard of" people, so do make a point of trying to hear some of his music. (His struggles with the composer Lully are worth recounting at some point. Perhaps later this week...stay tuned.) That will be at the First Congregational Church in Melrose.
On Saturday at 8 pm, the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus under Kevin Leong will perform some honking big Handel works at Sanders Theater. Who doesn't love honking big Handel, especially done as well as it undoubtably will be?
On Saturday at 8 pm, Musica Sacra under Mary Beekman will perform Bach's Magnificat at First Church Congregational in Harvard Square. Handel or Bach? Your life is tough.
On Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 at Old South United Methodist Church in Reading Center, the Reading Community Singers will perform a holiday concert called "Winter Wonders."
(I am already exhausted and we're not even at Sunday yet!)
On Saturday at 8 pm you can hear Beethoven's Choral Fantasy performed by the Northeastern University Choral Society at the Fenway Center.
Not quite choral, but on Saturday at 4 pm First Parish in Wayland presents Amahl and the Night Visitors. More info here.
Also not quite choral, but still worth mentioning - on Saturday at 7 pm at Longy, Robert Honeysucker, baritone, with Leslie Amper, pianist, perform American songs. More info here.
(Dear Lord, the list for Saturday is neverending!)
If you're near Brandeis on Saturday, go hear some Britten! If you're in Arlington, how about checking out a concert with Lorna Cooke deVaron? If you're in Worcester, go hear the Messiah! If you want to stay in Worcester through Sunday, you can hear more Handel (Judas Maccabaeus!)
On Sunday at 5 pm at Swedenborg Chapel in Cambridge, the Oriana Consort will perform In This Tyme of Chrystmas: Advent and Christmas choral music from the 17th, 20th, and 21st centuries, featuring works by Betinis, Buxtehude, Byrd and Vaughan Williams. Abbie Betinis is a very cool composer from MN. Also, I sing with her sister in Cappella Clausura!
On Sunday at 3 pm at First Parish UU Arlington, Cantilena is performing "Sing Me to Heaven: A Winter Concert."
I'm also going to give a shout-out to Juventas, even though they're not choral, because we like to support new music in this corner of the blogosphere. Friday, 8 pm, Boston Conservatory.
Finally, if all this is making you want to sing yourself, there will be an open sing by the Zamir Chorale on Sunday at 3 pm in Newton. Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Newton, MA. Scores are available, and included in the cost of admission, which is $10 ($8 stu/sen). You get to sing both Handel's Judas Maccabaeus and Berstein's Chichester Psalms. A good time! And if Judas Maccabaeus is a little too martial for you in these troubled times, there's a Messiah Sing at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline - scores also provided there. (Although you'll still have to listen to the tenor singing about smashing people into little bits like pottery, so violence is hard to avoid.)
Never fear, though. If you want a quiet and peaceful end to your weekend, go to Schola Nocturna's Night Prayer at Parish of the Messiah in Newton. I promise nobody will smash anybody.
The truth is that there is even more exciting stuff than that going on this weekend, but I am just too tired to keep going, so check out the Boston Singer's Resource concert listings for some stuff I might have missed. I may have to make this a sort of "Editor's Picks" weekly thing rather than covering all your possible concert options! I'm too tired to even proof-read this entry. If somebody's made it this far, tell me if there were any typos.
Remember, your motto for concerts at Christmas should be that old chestnut by Edward Everett: "I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." So get out there and listen to some music...because after all, the person you are doing it for is yourself!
First and foremost, both because it's cool, and I think perhaps it has not been well advertised, the Longwood Symphony and New World Chorale will perform Janacek's Glagolitic Mass. Jordan Hall, Saturday at 8 pm. I am very sorry I am already tied up on Saturday, because this ought to be awesome. For more information on this piece, (hang on while I scan Google)...well, I can't find anything great in under a minute, so check out this review from the New York Times, and perhaps I will post a little cliff notes to this piece at a later date.
It is after Thanksgiving, and that means your holiday concert season has begun. Start things off with a bang by seeing Handel and Haydn perform Messiah at Symphony Hall! Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 3:00 pm, and Sunday at 3:00 pm.
On Friday and Sunday, the Boston Choral Ensemble is performing a concert called Madrigalia. This looks pretty cool, I must say. Friday at 8 at First Church Cambridge, and Sunday at 2 at the Church of St. John the Evangelist.
On Friday at 8 pm, the most excellent and esteemed (he's the director at the church where I sing!) Jonathan Barnhart leads the Dedham Chorale in A German Christmas. Check it out at St. Paul's Cathedral in Boston. They will perform the same program on Sunday at 3 pm in Dedham.
On Friday at 8 pm, the Arlington-Belmont Chamber Chorus presents "A Not Quite Winter Concerts" - music of Guerrero, Chatman, Barber, and Walker. Check it out at the Payson Park Church in Belmont.
On Saturday at 7:30, Polymnia Choral Society will perform "Midnight Mass for Christmas" by Marc-Antoine Charpentier as well as a set by Emma Lou Diemer. Charpentier is definitely one of those "greatest composers you've never heard of" people, so do make a point of trying to hear some of his music. (His struggles with the composer Lully are worth recounting at some point. Perhaps later this week...stay tuned.) That will be at the First Congregational Church in Melrose.
On Saturday at 8 pm, the Harvard-Radcliffe Chorus under Kevin Leong will perform some honking big Handel works at Sanders Theater. Who doesn't love honking big Handel, especially done as well as it undoubtably will be?
On Saturday at 8 pm, Musica Sacra under Mary Beekman will perform Bach's Magnificat at First Church Congregational in Harvard Square. Handel or Bach? Your life is tough.
On Saturday at 7 pm and Sunday at 4 at Old South United Methodist Church in Reading Center, the Reading Community Singers will perform a holiday concert called "Winter Wonders."
(I am already exhausted and we're not even at Sunday yet!)
On Saturday at 8 pm you can hear Beethoven's Choral Fantasy performed by the Northeastern University Choral Society at the Fenway Center.
Not quite choral, but on Saturday at 4 pm First Parish in Wayland presents Amahl and the Night Visitors. More info here.
Also not quite choral, but still worth mentioning - on Saturday at 7 pm at Longy, Robert Honeysucker, baritone, with Leslie Amper, pianist, perform American songs. More info here.
(Dear Lord, the list for Saturday is neverending!)
If you're near Brandeis on Saturday, go hear some Britten! If you're in Arlington, how about checking out a concert with Lorna Cooke deVaron? If you're in Worcester, go hear the Messiah! If you want to stay in Worcester through Sunday, you can hear more Handel (Judas Maccabaeus!)
On Sunday at 5 pm at Swedenborg Chapel in Cambridge, the Oriana Consort will perform In This Tyme of Chrystmas: Advent and Christmas choral music from the 17th, 20th, and 21st centuries, featuring works by Betinis, Buxtehude, Byrd and Vaughan Williams. Abbie Betinis is a very cool composer from MN. Also, I sing with her sister in Cappella Clausura!
On Sunday at 3 pm at First Parish UU Arlington, Cantilena is performing "Sing Me to Heaven: A Winter Concert."
I'm also going to give a shout-out to Juventas, even though they're not choral, because we like to support new music in this corner of the blogosphere. Friday, 8 pm, Boston Conservatory.
Finally, if all this is making you want to sing yourself, there will be an open sing by the Zamir Chorale on Sunday at 3 pm in Newton. Temple Reyim, 1860 Washington Street, Newton, MA. Scores are available, and included in the cost of admission, which is $10 ($8 stu/sen). You get to sing both Handel's Judas Maccabaeus and Berstein's Chichester Psalms. A good time! And if Judas Maccabaeus is a little too martial for you in these troubled times, there's a Messiah Sing at St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Brookline - scores also provided there. (Although you'll still have to listen to the tenor singing about smashing people into little bits like pottery, so violence is hard to avoid.)
Never fear, though. If you want a quiet and peaceful end to your weekend, go to Schola Nocturna's Night Prayer at Parish of the Messiah in Newton. I promise nobody will smash anybody.
The truth is that there is even more exciting stuff than that going on this weekend, but I am just too tired to keep going, so check out the Boston Singer's Resource concert listings for some stuff I might have missed. I may have to make this a sort of "Editor's Picks" weekly thing rather than covering all your possible concert options! I'm too tired to even proof-read this entry. If somebody's made it this far, tell me if there were any typos.
Remember, your motto for concerts at Christmas should be that old chestnut by Edward Everett: "I cannot do everything, But still I can do something; And because I cannot do everything I will not refuse to do the something that I can do." So get out there and listen to some music...because after all, the person you are doing it for is yourself!
Monday, November 26, 2007
Nick Page
My apologies for not giving a concert update last week. I was out of town, stuffing myself with stuffing. And besides, you were all too comatose with food to even think of leaving the house, right? Right. So we will all just ignore the fact that we missed Chanticleer on Sunday at Jordan Hall, and we are not at all heart-broken about this fact. (I seem to have bad luck actually finding out about Chanticleer concerts in time - I haven't made it to one yet, despite the fact that I adore their recordings.)
Perhaps you will forgive me if I tip you off that Steve Reich is in residence at NEC, and this week will feature two performances. Mostly this is not choral music (although Music for Eighteen Musicians does feature female voices) but Steve Reich is just too cool not to mention, even if this were a blog about knitting or Nascar or something.
And finally, the Boston Globe today had a nice piece about Nick Page, local powerhouse choral conductor. If you ever have the chance to go to one of his power sings, do so - he is one of the most dynamic and charismatic conductors around. And we all wish him well at his Carnegie Hall debut!
Perhaps you will forgive me if I tip you off that Steve Reich is in residence at NEC, and this week will feature two performances. Mostly this is not choral music (although Music for Eighteen Musicians does feature female voices) but Steve Reich is just too cool not to mention, even if this were a blog about knitting or Nascar or something.
And finally, the Boston Globe today had a nice piece about Nick Page, local powerhouse choral conductor. If you ever have the chance to go to one of his power sings, do so - he is one of the most dynamic and charismatic conductors around. And we all wish him well at his Carnegie Hall debut!
Monday, November 19, 2007
RIP Craig Smith
Oh, no! Craig Smith, founder and artistic director of Emmanuel Music, died last Wednesday, Nov. 14, of complications from diabetes. The obituary in the Boston Globe is here.
This is a sad loss - Emmanuel Music is one of the best and most respected groups in Boston, and Craig Smith was a giant of the Boston musical scene. He'll be sorely missed.
This is a sad loss - Emmanuel Music is one of the best and most respected groups in Boston, and Craig Smith was a giant of the Boston musical scene. He'll be sorely missed.
Sunday, November 18, 2007
Schizophonic auditions!
Pinafore ended its run yesterday, and a fine, fine run it was. Massive kudos are due to everyone I got to work with - it was a great experience.
But that was yesterday, and this is today! Time for new projects, new horizons! My professional women's group that I started last spring is having auditions on 12/1 - come one, come all! Here is that ad that I have been sending to everyone I know. Please feel free to copy and forward to everyone you've ever met.
Professional women's vocal group seeks female singers
Schizophonic, a professional women's vocal group, is looking for new singers. Our goal is to sing all sorts of music, ranging from medieval to barbershop. We would like to find other professional classical singers who have an interest in branching out into other genres of music such as folk and jazz, but are also at home picking up something by Josquin or Britten and sight-reading it.
Our plan is to have several concerts a year, where we will split the proceeds, and also to concentrate on putting together shorter programs appropriate for schools. Our goal for school gigs is to have 1-2 a month, and to have each singer paid $100 for each gig. Eventually we hope to get on the Young Audiences roster, and hopefully get even more work that way.
Currently we have one mezzo and one soprano. We would ideally like to form a quartet, with one more mezzo and one more soprano. We are looking for trained solo voices with fantastic musicianship and very sharp sight-reading skills. In terms of vocal size, we are looking for Bach rather than Berlioz. We also hope to find other people who love singing chamber music, and are willing to make a commitment to the group. We are also interested in putting together a guest-artist list of singers who might be interested in one or two gigs if we decide to do something bigger requiring more than four singers. However, our main goal is to find two new permanent members.
Auditions will be December 1st from 10 am - 3 pm. If that time doesn't work for you, please contact us anyways - we'd love to hear everyone, and can be very flexible about setting up individual auditions! Contact Allegra Martin by phone (617) 872-0461 or leave a comment!
But that was yesterday, and this is today! Time for new projects, new horizons! My professional women's group that I started last spring is having auditions on 12/1 - come one, come all! Here is that ad that I have been sending to everyone I know. Please feel free to copy and forward to everyone you've ever met.
Professional women's vocal group seeks female singers
Schizophonic, a professional women's vocal group, is looking for new singers. Our goal is to sing all sorts of music, ranging from medieval to barbershop. We would like to find other professional classical singers who have an interest in branching out into other genres of music such as folk and jazz, but are also at home picking up something by Josquin or Britten and sight-reading it.
Our plan is to have several concerts a year, where we will split the proceeds, and also to concentrate on putting together shorter programs appropriate for schools. Our goal for school gigs is to have 1-2 a month, and to have each singer paid $100 for each gig. Eventually we hope to get on the Young Audiences roster, and hopefully get even more work that way.
Currently we have one mezzo and one soprano. We would ideally like to form a quartet, with one more mezzo and one more soprano. We are looking for trained solo voices with fantastic musicianship and very sharp sight-reading skills. In terms of vocal size, we are looking for Bach rather than Berlioz. We also hope to find other people who love singing chamber music, and are willing to make a commitment to the group. We are also interested in putting together a guest-artist list of singers who might be interested in one or two gigs if we decide to do something bigger requiring more than four singers. However, our main goal is to find two new permanent members.
Auditions will be December 1st from 10 am - 3 pm. If that time doesn't work for you, please contact us anyways - we'd love to hear everyone, and can be very flexible about setting up individual auditions! Contact Allegra Martin by phone (617) 872-0461 or leave a comment!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Weekend Concert Calendar, 11/15/07
It's still technically Thursday, and time for the Weekend Choral Concert Calendar!
Well, Friday is looking a little scanty, so perhaps you will have nothing to do. Oh, no, but wait! HMS Pinafore at MIT is still going on! This is your last weekend to see yours truly conducting a G&S classic! Friday at 8 pm and Saturday at 2 pm – details here!
On Saturday, however, you are spoiled for choice. Let’s take a look.
I think my top pick would be the Spectrum Singers. They will be kicking off the Christmas season a little early, it’s true, but just look at the program. "Sound the Trumpets!": A festive celebration of the Christmas season with organ, brass, and percussion. Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms; Schutz's Psalm 150: Alleluia, Lobet dem Herrn, SWV 24; Boulanger's Psaume 24; Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, and more. A good time, indeed (and they get mad points for performing Boulanger. That would be Lili, btw, the composer sister of the more famous Nadia. She died at a young age, or she might have been better known.) The performance will be at 8 pm at First Church Congregational in Cambridge. More details here.
The Brookline Chorus is performing Carmina Burana! Always a good time! They are doing the two piano version. 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline – more info is here.
The Mystic Chorale, under Nick Page (local choral celebrity!) is performing at 8 pm in Lexington at Cary Memorial Hall. The highlight will be a premiere of a Beatitudes setting by Jonathan Singleton. Support new music! More details here. They will also perform on Sunday at 3:30.
The Newton Choral Society will perform music of Daniel Pinkham at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton at 8 pm. More info is here.
The Cantemus Chamber Chorus is performing at 7:30 pm in Hamilton – works of Pfautsch, Bass, Bach, Górecki, Schuman. (I’ve never even heard of Pfautsch and Bass – a true opportunity to educate yourself in some lesser-known composers! Górecki, if you are unfamiliar, has some great choral pieces.) More info here. They will perform again on Sunday in Newburyport at 4 pm.
And what about Sunday?
My top pick here is for the Sounds of Stow. They will perform Haydn’s Creation at 3 pm in Stow Center. Good things are being said about the soloists, and I was quite impressed at a SoS concert a few years back. And let’s not forget that any brilliant trumpet-playing you here will be my father! More information is here.
I mentioned Cantemus and Mysic above, of course – in addition, you can hear the Fine Arts Chorale at 4 pm in South Weymouth (I know nothing about this group) or the Heritage Chorale at 4 pm at Babson College performing Gabrieli, Bruckner, and Pinkham.
And the weekend ends late – at 8 pm on Sunday the MIT Chamber Chorus will perform in Kresge Auditorium…and this concert is FREE! More information is here.
Also, let’s carry on a little further, shall we? Because ironically, the most highly anticipated event of the weekend falls on Monday night. At 8 pm at Symphony Hall, Thomas Quastoff is performing with Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic in Boston’s Celebrity Series. I try to only report choral music concerts, b/c it takes enough time to just do that, but hey, this deserves an exception. Hie the over there – tickets are still available! And then on Tuesday, Renée Fleming joins the BSO…I really must stop and get to bed.
Well, Friday is looking a little scanty, so perhaps you will have nothing to do. Oh, no, but wait! HMS Pinafore at MIT is still going on! This is your last weekend to see yours truly conducting a G&S classic! Friday at 8 pm and Saturday at 2 pm – details here!
On Saturday, however, you are spoiled for choice. Let’s take a look.
I think my top pick would be the Spectrum Singers. They will be kicking off the Christmas season a little early, it’s true, but just look at the program. "Sound the Trumpets!": A festive celebration of the Christmas season with organ, brass, and percussion. Leonard Bernstein's Chichester Psalms; Schutz's Psalm 150: Alleluia, Lobet dem Herrn, SWV 24; Boulanger's Psaume 24; Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Cantata, and more. A good time, indeed (and they get mad points for performing Boulanger. That would be Lili, btw, the composer sister of the more famous Nadia. She died at a young age, or she might have been better known.) The performance will be at 8 pm at First Church Congregational in Cambridge. More details here.
The Brookline Chorus is performing Carmina Burana! Always a good time! They are doing the two piano version. 8 pm at All Saints Parish in Brookline – more info is here.
The Mystic Chorale, under Nick Page (local choral celebrity!) is performing at 8 pm in Lexington at Cary Memorial Hall. The highlight will be a premiere of a Beatitudes setting by Jonathan Singleton. Support new music! More details here. They will also perform on Sunday at 3:30.
The Newton Choral Society will perform music of Daniel Pinkham at Our Lady Help of Christians Church in Newton at 8 pm. More info is here.
The Cantemus Chamber Chorus is performing at 7:30 pm in Hamilton – works of Pfautsch, Bass, Bach, Górecki, Schuman. (I’ve never even heard of Pfautsch and Bass – a true opportunity to educate yourself in some lesser-known composers! Górecki, if you are unfamiliar, has some great choral pieces.) More info here. They will perform again on Sunday in Newburyport at 4 pm.
And what about Sunday?
My top pick here is for the Sounds of Stow. They will perform Haydn’s Creation at 3 pm in Stow Center. Good things are being said about the soloists, and I was quite impressed at a SoS concert a few years back. And let’s not forget that any brilliant trumpet-playing you here will be my father! More information is here.
I mentioned Cantemus and Mysic above, of course – in addition, you can hear the Fine Arts Chorale at 4 pm in South Weymouth (I know nothing about this group) or the Heritage Chorale at 4 pm at Babson College performing Gabrieli, Bruckner, and Pinkham.
And the weekend ends late – at 8 pm on Sunday the MIT Chamber Chorus will perform in Kresge Auditorium…and this concert is FREE! More information is here.
Also, let’s carry on a little further, shall we? Because ironically, the most highly anticipated event of the weekend falls on Monday night. At 8 pm at Symphony Hall, Thomas Quastoff is performing with Simon Rattle and the Berlin Philharmonic in Boston’s Celebrity Series. I try to only report choral music concerts, b/c it takes enough time to just do that, but hey, this deserves an exception. Hie the over there – tickets are still available! And then on Tuesday, Renée Fleming joins the BSO…I really must stop and get to bed.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Pinafore opening night
I am pleased to report that the Pinafore opening night went well, and my baton only flew out of my hand once.
Also, I just added a widget from Women's Voices, Women's Vote below. If you, like me, feel bad about missing the most recent local elections , and if you, like me, have moved recently and haven't re-registered yet, get to it! Don't forget that your vote affects arts funding and educational funding. (The latter probably has even more of an impact on music and the arts in general than the former.)
Also, I just added a widget from Women's Voices, Women's Vote below. If you, like me, feel bad about missing the most recent local elections , and if you, like me, have moved recently and haven't re-registered yet, get to it! Don't forget that your vote affects arts funding and educational funding. (The latter probably has even more of an impact on music and the arts in general than the former.)
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