Master
Chorale of South Florida to Perform a “Lost” Classical
Gem
The Master Chorale of South Florida will thrill South Florida
audiences this spring with the South Florida debut of a little-known
yet highly regarded work, Franz Schubert's Mass in E-flat Major.
This lush, romantic choral mass is rarely performed, yet its
beauty resonates throughout the entire work. Written a year
after the death of Beethoven, it is one of Schubert's last Choral-Orchestral
Compositions.
“In
my opinion, the piece has simply been overlooked,” says
Maestro Jo-Michael Scheibe, music director of the Master Chorale
of South Florida. “It is a brilliant work that showcases
Schubert's exceptional talent as a composer. Unlike Schubert's
well-known Mass in G, which is simpler, this mass contains rich
harmonic language, fabulous fugues and brilliant orchestrations.
It is truly the forward looking Schubert, one that will remind
listeners of Verdi, Beethoven and Brahms.
“It’s
a difficult composition for the chorus and orchestra to prepare,
but Schubert's lush melodies will find a wonderful spot in the
listener's ears,” Scheibe continues. “In my opinion,
the E-flat mass is one of the great romantic choral works and
deserves to become a staple in the choral-orchestral repertoire.
South Florida audiences are in for a real treat.”
Unlike
some works that spotlight the soloists, Schubert’s Mass
in E-flat Major is truly a choral mass. The five soloists –
one soprano, one alto, two tenors and one bass – have
a minimal role in the overall composition.
The
Master Chorale of South Florida will present the three performances
of Schubert's Mass in B-flat Major: Friday, April 15, 2005,
8:00 PM, at St. Jude Catholic Church in Boca Raton; Saturday,
April 16, 2005, 8:00 PM, at Second Presbyterian Church, Fort
Lauderdale; and Sunday, April 17, 2005, 3:00 PM, at Trinity
Episcopal Cathedral in Miami. The singers will be accompanied
by the Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia.
Tickets
can be purchased on line through www.masterchoraleofsouthflorida.com
or by calling the Master Chorale offices at 954-418-6232. Cash,
checks and major credit cards are accepted. Seating is limited:
remaining tickets will be sold for $30 at the door.
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The
Master Chorale of South Florida is a nonprofit chorus comprised
of the best amateur and professional singers in the region.
All singers volunteer their time and talent for the love of
choral music.
The
Master Chorale was formed to provide top-quality concerts of
classical works written for chorus and orchestra to audiences
in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties. The Master
Chorale strives to be recognized for musicality, passion, and
innovative programming, and for fostering in audiences feelings
of joy and excitement that come from hearing superb performances
of the greatest music ever written.
CONTACT:
Nancy Gates-Lee
Chair, Marketing Committee
Cell: 206-849-1256
Florida office: 954-545-4059
njgates@att.net
