Noteworthy News, January 29, 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)
Last Monday's inaugural session of our Masterworks Series featured the Verdi Requiem and is available to review via YouTube. Nearly 300 people connected with us for a wonderful and learning experience with Josh Habermann. (Zoom attendees + streaming sessions via our website + direct connections via YouTube).
In looking forward to our next Masterworks session, here is a LINK to a recording of the Missa Solemnis for your review and study. It includes both the audio as well as a "scrolling score" for your use.
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.
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.
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, on 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: http://www.bachcantatachoir.org/super-bach-2021-registration.html and follow the online registration process. We will send to you a reminder email a few days before the event.