Choral Masterworks Concert Features Music Spanning 250 Years
More than a hundred singers will be featured in 果冻传煤鈥檚 free Masterworks Choral Concert, Friday, Feb. 24 at 8 p.m. in Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street.
The concert will feature the 果冻传煤 Choir and Chamber Orchestra performing Handel鈥檚 Coronation Anthem, 鈥淟et Thy Hand Be Strengthened.鈥 Also, the combined choirs of 果冻传煤, Trinity Episcopal Church and El Montecito Presbyterian and orchestra will perform 鈥渁 new Creation,鈥 an extended work by contemporary American composer Renee Clausen.
The combined choir will number 110 singers. Featured soloists will be drawn from the 果冻传煤 Choir. Participating ensembles are led by Mike Eglin, Grey Brothers, Emily Sommermann and Michael Shasberger, who will also be conducting the concert.
Portions of the program will be repeated by the 果冻传煤 and El Montecito Presbyterian Choirs in worship at El Montecito Presbyterian Church, Sunday, Feb. 26 at 10:30 a.m.
The two works span over 250 years, but have many similarities. Both sparkle with innovative harmonies and engaging melodies. Handel's work was composed for the coronation of King George II in 1721. It was one of four such pieces that were written for that event, and at least one of them has been performed at every British coronation since.
Clausen's work is structured around a compilation of texts drawn from poetic, Scriptural and liturgical sources to form a dramatic whole. The work is in 12 movements, and features a variety of combinations of musical forces from sparse movements for solo oboe and singer, to full orchestra, solo quartet, chorus and organ.
For more information, contact the music department at (805) 565-7040 or e-mail pubaffairs@westmont.edu. For directions to campus, visit the college Web site at www.westmont.edu.