 |
Charis Chamber Voices and Chamber Orchestra
directed by Susanne Peck Presents Rutter's Gloria And other Christmas Works |
| Date: | Saturday, 02 December 2000 |
| Time: | 8:00 PM |
| Place: | All Soul's Church, Lexington Ave. at 80th St., New York City |
| Date: | Saturday, 09 December 1999 (?) |
| Time: | 8:00 PM |
| Place: | South Presbyterian Church, Dobbs Ferry, NY |
Charis will perform, with brass, percussion and organ accompaniment:
John Rutter's Gloria, along with Chrismas music featuring new settings of traditional carols by American composers, including James Bassi, Elliot Z. Levine, Johannes Somary, and Nancy Wertsch.
For advanced ticket sales, call 914-931-6575
Charis Chamber Voices, the Westchester-based auditioned ensemble of 25-30 voices led by Susanne Peck, announces two concerts to celebrate the Christmas season. The first concert will be Saturday, Dec. 2 at All Souls Church, 80th St. and Lexington Ave. in New York City, and the other Saturday, Dec. 9 at South Presbyterian Church, 345 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry. Both concerts will start at 8 PM.
The concerts will begin with a selection of traditional Christmas carols in new settings by American composers, many from the New York City area. "Charis has a special affinity for American music as well as a commitment to good contemporary vocal music," says Ms. Peck. "This concert brings the best of those two interests together."
The repertory is remarkably varied. "The Holly She Bears a Berry," arranged by James E. Clemens, is a lilting gem, unmistakably an old English carol. On the other hand, "Christmas Peace," by Julie Dolphin, is clearly contemporary, its modern harmonies and repetition creating a soothing lullaby. Neil Farrell gives Gustav Holst's familiar tune for Christina Rosetti's poem "In the Bleak Midwinter" a lush new six-part arrangement, and Johannes Somary combines an ancient melody with surprising, jazzy chords in "Let All Mortal Flesh Keep Silence."
Two ancient Latin hymns take on new life in modern hands. James Bassi's "Quem pastores laudavere" gives the old poem about the Nativity a Romantic melody with beautiful harmonies for a cappella choir, while Nancy Wertsch uses a harp and a balance of dissonance and consonance to describe the manger scene in "O Magnum Mysterium."
Other offerings include Marjorie Hess's setting of Thomas Hardy's poem "The Oxen," Alf Houkom's interpretation of "The Rune of Hospitality," Steven Sametz's "Noel Noel" for men's voices, and Elliot Z. Levine's celebratory "While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks."
After intermission, additional singers will join Charis for Peter Schubert's "We Three Kings," an exciting and complex a cappella work for three choirs.
The climax of the evening will be John Rutter's boisterous, exhilarating "Gloria." For this popular work the extended choir will be accompanied by eight brass, timpani, percussion and organ.
Tickets are $20 for Adults and $15 for Seniors and Students. Children free.