Monday, October 27, 2008

Glorious singing from Gloriæ Dei Cantores

Gloriæ Dei Cantores, a choir based in Orleans, MA, performed a stunningly beautiful concert as part of the Concerts at St Stephen's series. I was blown away by the beautiful sound they made. They sang Gregorian chant, music of the Russian Orthodox Church, Anglican chant, but also performed Sacred Music from such composers as Daniel Pinkham, Ned Rorem, Samuel Adler, Ingolf Dahl, and Frank Martin. I regret having missed some of the pieces due to helping with setting up of the post-concert reception (I am on the board of the Concerts of St Stephen's series), but the pieces I was there for left me speechless. The director, Elizabeth Patterson, has a very interesting style, and it seemed every finger of each hand was doing something. It became clear to me she was shaping phrases as opposed to strictly keeping time, and she had total control over the choir. It was amazing to see.

They performed with Gabriel V, a brass ensemble who is a frequent collaborator with GDC.

Here is the program.

Transfiguration Fanfare (Seagull Seven; performed by Gabriel Brass)

Quicumque Christum quæritis (Gregorian Chant)
Venite comedite (William Byrd)
O sacrum convivium (Thomas Tallis)
O lux beata Trinitas (Byrd)
Jubilate Deo (Richard Dering)

Canzona from Three Pieces for Brass Quintet, Timpani, and Organ (Richard Hillert; performed by Gabriel V; James Jordan, organ)

Hvalite imia Gospodne (Pavel Chesnokov)
Angel vopiyashe (Pytor Tchaikovsky)
Three selections from All-Night Vigil (Sergei Rachmaninoff)
  • Priidite, poklonimsia
  • Nïne otpushchayeshï (Br. Richard Cragg, tenor)
  • Blagosloven yesi (Br. Richard Cragg, tenor)
Psalm 56 (Anglican Chant; S. Alcock)
Thou Hast Turned My Laments Into Dancing (Daniel Pinkham)
Thou Hast Loved Righteousness (Pinkham)
Shout the Glad Tidings (Ned Rorem)
A Psalm Trilogy (Samuel Adler)
  • Psalm 84
  • Psalm 42
  • Psalm 113
Psalm 23 (Anglican Chant; C. Hylton Stewart)

Music for Brass Instruments: Chorale Fantasy on "Christ Lay in the Bonds of Death" (Ingolf Dahl; performed by Gabriel V)

Music for Double Choir (Frank Martin)
  • Kyrie
  • Gloria
  • Credo
  • Sanctus
  • Agnus Dei

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