Sunday, November 11, 2018
The Basilica of St. Patrick’s Old Cathedral, Manhattan
HOLIDAYS WITH DESSOFF:
Welcome Yule!
Friday, December 7, 2018
Saint Peter’s Church, Manhattan
HOLIDAYS WITH DESSOFF:
Messiah Sing
Saturday, December 8, 2018
Union Theological Seminary, Manhattan
HOLIDAYS WITH DESSOFF:
Welcome Yule!
Sunday, December 9, 2018
Saint Paul’s Episcopal Church, Brooklyn
WHITMAN AND THE CIVIL WAR
Saturday, March 9, 2019
Union Theological Seminary, Manhattan
WHITMAN BICENTENNIAL FESTIVAL
Friday, May 31, 2019 at Church of St. Paul and St. Andrew, Manhattan
New York City, NY (For Release 04.29.18) — Hailed as “one of the great amateur choruses of our time (New York Today) for its “full-bodied sound and suppleness (The New York Times),” The Dessoff Choirs today announced its 2018-19 season. The Dessoff Choirs celebrates the bicentennial of the birth of American poet and journalist Walt Whitman (1819-1892) by performing choral settings of his poetry and commissioning four new compositions. Led by music director Malcolm J. Merriweather, the 60 singers are joined by pianist Steven Ryan, guest organists, and youth choirs. Season highlights include Whitman-inspired world premiere works by contemporary composers Matthew Aucoin, Eve Beglarian, Douglas Geers, and Tania León. In addition, Dessoff presents its fan-favorite trio of festive concerts during the holiday season.
As Malcolm J. Merriweather, Dessoff’s ninth Music Director explains, “I am excited about our 94th season because it honors an American icon whose life and works have been an inspiration for artists and musicians everywhere. We will be surveying some of the most exquisite choral settings of his poetry written throughout the 19th, 20th, and 21st Centuries and offering world premieres of pieces commissioned by and composed for Dessoff.”
Whitman, who was born on May 31, 1819, is one of the most influential voices in American—and world—literature. Although many great writers have contemplated the power of music, few have articulated it more perfectly or more sensuously than Whitman. He wrote of music as “a god, yet completely human… supplying in certain wants and quarters what nothing else could supply.” Not only was Whitman outspoken in his love for music, he also inspired over 500 composers to draw from his work. “Many composers have been attracted to Whitman’s exuberant spirit, democratic ideals, and timelessness,” says Merriweather. “His is a kind of distinct and distinctive American voice that has brought joy to so many people in our country and around the world.”
Dessoff’s season-opening concert is a world premiere of a Whitman-inspired work by composer Douglas Geers, who is known for integrating multimedia dimensions into concert music. Reviewers have described his music as “…glitchy… keening… scrabbling… contemplative” (The New York Times), “kaleidoscopic” (Washington Post), ” and have praised its “shimmering electronic textures” (Village Voice). The program also includes two pieces by William Schuman, Bach’s funeral motet, and the opulent a cappella Messa di Requiem by Ildebando Pizzetti.
The holiday season would not be complete without Dessoff’s annual trio of festive concerts. In addition to seasonal repertoire, contemporary arrangements of carols, and a rare performance of The Ballad of the Brown King by Margaret Bonds, Dessoff will present the world premiere of a new choral piece inspired by Whitman by Grammy-nominated conductor/composer Tania León. The founder and artistic director of Composers Now Festival and the Composers Now organization, León is a vital personality on today’s music scene. According to BachTrack, she is one of the “Top 10 Living Women Composers.”
Dessoff ushers in spring with a concert dedicated to Whitman and his relationship with the Civil War. Through his ministrations of wounded soldiers, Whitman found a new purpose and inspiration for his art. He continued to write during the early years of the war and subsequently inspired composers. A few such works include the wonderful, little-known Four Walt Whitman Songs of Kurt Weill (1900-1950), Rene Clausen’s Three Whitman Songs, Jeffrey Van’s A Procession Winding Around Me: Four Civil War Poems and the world premiere of Ian Milliken’s Whispers of Heavenly Death. Completing the concert is the final installment (over three seasons) of Bach’s six motets, Der geist hilft unser Schwachheit auf, BWV 226.
Dessoff’s last concert of the season on May 31, 2019, the 200th birthday of Whitman, is a celebratory recital featuring several commissioned Whitman-inspired choral works. The concert begins with settings of Whitman’s poetry by 20th Century American composers Howard Hanson and Gregg Smith. Along with a reprise of the new compositions by Geers and León, on the program is a world premiere by Eve Beglarian. According to The Los Angeles Times, composer/performer Beglarian is “a humane, idealistic rebel and a musical sensualist.” She was awarded the 2017 Herb Alpert Award in Music for her “prolific, engaging and surprising body of work.” Closing the concert is the world premiere of choral arrangements of scenes from Matthew Aucoin’s opera, Crossing. According to The New York Times, “Crossing is a taut, teeming and inspired work.”
Tickets: All concert tickets for the 2018-19 Season are on sale now and may be purchased by visiting dessoff.org.
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