Noteworthy News, February 6, 2021
Important upcoming dates:
Monday, February 22, 7 pm Beethoven Missa Solemnis, Virtual Masterworks Series (Zoom)
Tuesday, March 23, 7 pm Faure Requiem, Virtual Masterworks Series (Zoom)
Tuesday, April 27, 7 pm Durufle Requiem, Virtual Masterworks Series (Zoom)
We continue our Virtual Masterworks Series with Beethoven’s Missa Solemnis presented by Duain Wolfe on Monday, February 22. Recently awarded two Grammys for Best Choral Performance and Best Classical Recording, Mr. Wolfe is the founding director and conductor of the Colorado Symphony Chorus and music director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus, presiding over each for 33 and 23 seasons, respectively. He received an honorary doctor of musical arts from the University of Denver, the Bonfils Stanton Award in the Arts and Humanities, the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, the Mayor’s Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline, and the Michael Korn Award for the Development of the Professional Choral Art. Mr. Wolfe is also founder-director of the Colorado Children’s Chorale from which he retired in 1999 after 25 years. He has also directed and prepared choruses for the Ravinia, Bravo!, Vail, Berkshire, Aspen, and Grand Teton music festivals.
As preparation for our Missa Solemnis session, Duain Wolf has sent to us a talk about the Beethoven which is presented by Jean-Sébastien Vallée, the Director of Choral Studies at McGill University. This lecture discusses the history of the mass and the distinct musical elements of the Missa Solemnis. We are grateful to Mr. Wolfe and Jean-Sébastien Vallée for sharing this presentation with us. (LINK to YouTube)
Our Masterworks Series is designed as a special opportunity to work with conductors from outside the Portland area who have expertise in the work presented. These Zoom gatherings are designed to add a depth of understanding of the work while giving us the opportunity to get together (virtually) and keep singing. As noted above, the February session will feature the Beethoven Missa Solemnis and Duain Wolfe, Director of the Chicago Symphony Chorus. March will focus on the Faure Requiem and Elena Sharkova, Artistic Director of Cantabile Youth Singers (San Francisco area). In April, we will enjoy singing the Durufle Requiem with Eugene Rogers, Director of choirs and associate professor of conducting at the University of Michigan and recently named the Artistic Director of The Washington Chorus (Washington, DC). Please note that both March and April sessions will be on Tuesdays (March 23 and April 27). Additional information about our guest conductors can be viewed on our website, pschoir.org.
Reminder: Portland Symphonic Choir members have been invited to participate in a special virtual choir project in honor of the work by our former director, Bruce Browne. Choro in Schola is organizing this effort. Briefly, participants will record themselves singing Eric Whitacre's Sleep, a work performed by PSC in 2006 and recorded for the Lux aeterna CD in 2007. Choir members who sang with Bruce or prepared the work with Steven Zophi are encouraged to contribute their time and voice to this project, however, it is not a PSC group activity and you are not required to participate. Since this music is already in our library, we have uploaded a study copy of the choral score to the Members page of our website. Specific and thorough details can be found on Choro in Schola's website under the heading, Bruce Browne Generations Choir. Recordings are to be uploaded before February 25th.
Tax Time Assistance: Rachel Portnoy Bradley, Alto, is now with ShoeBox Taxes providing 100% covid-free tax returns! As with previous years, ShoeBox will donate $50 to the Choir for every paid return completed for a Choir member, friend, family, alum, etc. Just mention the Portland Symphonic Choir special. Rachel also does business returns, bookkeeping, and payroll and can help with all sorts of tax complications. Call the ShoeBox office (971) 348-2868 to ask any questions or email admin@shoeboxpdx.com. You may also email Rachel directly at thegrungediva@gmail.com.
Music Events of Note: From Ralph Nelson: The Bach Cantata Choir will present a free lecture (via Zoom) by Dr. Michael Maul, Artistic Director for the Leipzig Bach Festival, this coming Sunday, February 7, 2pm-3:30pm. Dr. Maul will relate the story of Mozart's visit to Leipzig in 1789, when Mozart was treated to a performance of choral music by J.S. Bach. The lecture will be followed by a video presentation (you can sing along - score will be on the screen) featuring J.S. Bach’s Motet #1 Singet dem Herrn BWV 225, the work that so impressed Mozart. Advance registration is required. Register for this event by clicking the LINK and follow the online registration process. A reminder email will be sent to you before the event.