Master Chorale of South Florida to Present Concert Series of Works by American Composers, featuring Bernstein’s Wildly Popular Chichester Psalms
The Master Chorale of South Florida’s spring concert series of works by American composers will feature one of the most adored and revered works of the modern repertoire, Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms. Like most of Bernstein’s works, the music is unforgettable. Although composed for the 1965 Festival at Chichester Cathedral, the work is distinctly Jewish in character, with complex rhythms, Middle-Eastern harmonies and plaintive solos. The uplifting, joyful text from Psalms 2, 23, 100, 108, 131 and 133 are recognized and loved by Jews and Christians alike.
Concertgoers will thrill to the sounds of some of the most technically challenging passages for choral tenors ever written and melody lines that were recycled from early sketches of Bernstein’s West Side Story, which was initially supposed to involve a Jewish-American gang.
Concerts will take place on Friday, April 24, at 8:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church of Pompano Beach (“The Pink Church”); Saturday, April 25, at 8:00 p.m. at the Congregational Church of Boca Raton/United Church of Christ; and on Sunday, April 26, at 4:00 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Miami. Directions to the venues can be found on www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org.
In the second half of the program, the audience will be treated to Morten Lauridsen’s breathtaking Lux Aeterna. A living composer, Lauridsen writes ethereal pieces of exquisite beauty and complexity. Solos will be sung by Master Chorale members Kristen DiNonno, soprano; Sophia Beharrie, alto; Mark Glickman, tenor; and Scott Latta, bass. Dr. Joshua Habermann, artistic director of the Master Chorale, will conduct.
The program will also feature the critically acclaimed Florida’s Singing Sons in Aaron Copland’s Old American Songs, conducted by Craig Denison.
Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door, and can be ordered through www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.org, or by calling 954-418-6232.
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The Master Chorale of South Florida is South Florida’s premier classical choral ensemble. The talented singers volunteer their time for the satisfaction of performing the most challenging choral repertoire at the highest artistic level in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties.
The Master Chorale of South Florida was formed to ensure that world-class concerts of major choral-orchestral works remain a part of South Florida’s cultural fabric. Through innovative programming, artistic passion, and superb performances of the greatest music ever written, the Master Chorale of South Florida strives to foster feelings of joy and excitement in the hearts of audiences.
Contact: Nancy Gates-Lee, 954-770-2805
