Bernsteincelebrating More Sides of the Story

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Bernsteincelebrating More Sides of the Story BernsteinCelebrating More Sides of the Story Wednesday 17 October 2018, 7.45pm Holy Trinity Sloane Square, SW1 Chichester Psalms Missa Brevis Choral Suite from West Side Story London Concert Choir Conductor Mark Forkgen Tickets £25 (under-25s £15) to include a programme and interval drink. Box Office (020) 7730 4500, www.cadoganhall.com and at the door A collection will be held in aid of The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity One of the most talented and successful musicians in American history, Leonard Bernstein was not only a composer, but also a conductor, pianist, educator and humanitarian. His versatility as a composer is brilliantly illustrated in this concert to celebrate the centenary of his birth. The Dean of Chichester commissioned the Psalms for the 1965 Southern Cathedrals Festival with the request that the music should contain ‘a hint of West Side Story.’ Bernstein himself described the piece as ‘forthright, songful, rhythmic, youthful.’ Performed in Hebrew and drawing on jazz rhythms and harmonies, the Psalms Music Director: include an exuberant setting of ‘O be joyful In the Lord all Mark Forkgen ye lands’ (Psalm 100) and a gentle Psalm 23, ‘The Lord is my shepherd’, as well as some menacing material cut Nathan Mercieca from the score of the musical. countertenor In 1988 Bernstein revisited the incidental music in Richard Pearce medieval style that he had composed in 1955 for organ The Lark, Anouilh’s play about Joan of Arc, and developed it into the vibrant Missa Brevis for unaccompanied choir, countertenor soloist and percussion. Anneke Hodnett harp After three contrasting solo songs, the concert is rounded off with a selection of favourite numbers from Sacha Johnson and West Side Story, including Tonight, Maria, I Feel Pretty, Alistair Marshallsay America and Somewhere. percussion #BernsteinAt100 leonardbernstein.com/at100 in aid of facebook.com/ londonconcertchoir instagram.com/ londonconcertchoir @ChoirLCC London Concert Choir: registered number 3220578, registered charity number 1057242. londonconcertchoir.org.
Recommended publications
  • Jerold Frederic Presents Concert of Gripping Music Philharmonic
    THE% ECHO VOL. XXV TAYLOR UNIVERSITY, UPLAND, INDIANA, SATURDAY. FEBRUARY 5, 1938 NO. 9 Judge Fred Bale Jerold Frederic Mystery Abounds Philharmonic Orchestra Coming Discusses Vital Presents Concert When Dramatists Issues at T. U. Of Gripping Music Thrill Audience All Taylor music lovers were A phantom tiger, a death light, thrilled at the masterful playing a haunted house, a terrific storm of Jehold Frederic as he was pre­ — an ideal setting for a mystery! sented by the Lyceum Committee, In Spiers Hall on January 29th Tuesday evening, January 18th, one of the hit programs of the in Shreiner Auditorium. year was the presentation of His graduation from the "Tiger House", Robert St. Clair's thundering londs to the soft, popular three act. novel comedy. sweet passages, his brilliant tech­ In the minds of the audience nique, excellent tone quality and which crowded the little audi­ keen sense of rhythm held the torium to its capacity, the play audience enthralled during the | ranks high among Taylor's Magic of Murdock G. H. Shapiro and entire program. His powerful, literary productions. No one was His Orchestra to yet gentle fingers brought forth disappointed in the thrilling en­ Provides Thrills his notable creative ability in his tertainment. Appear at Taylor interpretation of Chopin. His Weird fantastical sounds, For Large Group presentation of Liszt himself, tricky movable panels, cruel On February 19, the Lyceum rather than his music, it was as | clutching claws! Was it any Even the "front" seats of Committee is presenting the next if his listeners were for the time wonder onlookers sat on the Shreiner Auditorium were oc­ in the series of programs.
    [Show full text]
  • Classics 3: Program Notes Overture to Candide Leonard Bernstein Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, August 25, 1918
    Classics 3: Program Notes Overture to Candide Leonard Bernstein Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, August 25, 1918; died in New York, October 14, 1990 After collaborating on The Lark, a play with incidental music about Joan of Arc, Leonard Bernstein and Lillian Hellman turned their attention in 1954 to Voltaire’s novella Candide. They thought it the perfect vehicle to make an artistic statement against political intolerance in American society, just as Voltaire had done in eighteenth-century France. After bringing in poet Richard Wilbur to write the lyrics, they worked intermittently on Candide for two years. Enormous amounts of money were spent on the production, which opened in Boston on October 29, 1956. Though many critics called it brilliant, the production failed financially; after moving to New York in December, it was shut down after just seventy-three performances. Everyone had someone to blame, but many thought it failed because of audience confusion about its hybrid nature—was it an opera, operetta, or a musical? Leonard Bernstein: celebrating his The story revolves around the illegitimate Candide, who centennial loves and is loved in return by Cunegonde, daughter of nobility. They are plagued by myriad disasters, which lead them from Westphalia to Lisbon, Paris, Cadiz, Buenos Aires, Eldorado, Surinam, and finally Venice, where they are united at last. Bernstein’s often witty, sometimes tender music has been considered the work’s greatest asset, both in the initial failed production and in later successful versions. The Overture, possibly Bernstein’s most frequently performed piece, perfectly captures the mockery and satire as well as the occasional introspective moment of Voltaire’s masterful creation.
    [Show full text]
  • LCOM182 Lent & Eastertide
    LITURGICAL CHORAL AND ORGAN MUSIC Lent, Holy Week, and Eastertide 2018 GRACE CATHEDRAL 2 LITURGICAL CHORAL AND ORGAN MUSIC GRACE CATHEDRAL SAN FRANCISCO LENT, HOLY WEEK, AND EASTERTIDE 2018 11 MARCH 11AM THE HOLY EUCHARIST • CATHEDRAL CHOIR OF MEN AND BOYS LÆTARE Introit: Psalm 32:1-6 – Samuel Wesley Service: Collegium Regale – Herbert Howells Psalm 107 – Thomas Attwood Walmisley O pray for the peace of Jerusalem - Howells Drop, drop, slow tears – Robert Graham Hymns: 686, 489, 473 3PM CHORAL EVENSONG • CATHEDRAL CAMERATA Responses: Benjamin Bachmann Psalm 107 – Lawrence Thain Canticles: Evening Service in A – Herbert Sumsion Anthem: God so loved the world – John Stainer Hymns: 577, 160 15 MARCH 5:15PM CHORAL EVENSONG • CATHEDRAL CHOIR OF MEN AND BOYS Responses: Thomas Tomkins Psalm 126 – George M. Garrett Canticles: Third Service – Philip Moore Anthem: Salvator mundi – John Blow Hymns: 678, 474 18 MARCH 11AM THE HOLY EUCHARIST • CATHEDRAL CHOIR OF MEN AND BOYS LENT 5 Introit: Psalm 126 – George M. Garrett Service: Missa Brevis – Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina Psalm 51 – T. Tertius Noble Anthem: Salvator mundi – John Blow Motet: The crown of roses – Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Hymns: 471, 443, 439 3PM CHORAL EVENSONG • CATHEDRAL CAMERATA Responses: Thomas Tomkins Psalm 51 – Jeffrey Smith Canticles: Short Service – Orlando Gibbons Anthem: Aus tiefer Not – Felix Mendelssohn Hymns: 141, 151 3 22 MARCH 5:15PM CHORAL EVENSONG • CATHEDRAL CHOIR OF MEN AND BOYS Responses: William Byrd Psalm 103 – H. Walford Davies Canticles: Fauxbourdons – Thomas
    [Show full text]
  • ARSC Journal
    LEONARD BERNSTEIN, A COMPOSER DISCOGRAPHY" Compiled by J. F. Weber Sonata for clarinet and piano (1941-42; first performed 4-21-42) David Oppenheim, Leonard Bernstein (recorded 1945) (78: Hargail set MW 501, 3ss.) Herbert Tichman, Ruth Budnevich (rec. c.1953} Concert Hall Limited Editions H 18 William Willett, James Staples (timing, 9:35) Mark MRS 32638 (released 12-70, Schwann) Stanley Drucker, Leonid Hambro (rec. 4-70) (10:54) Odyssey Y 30492 (rel. 5-71) (7) Anniversaries (for piano) (1942-43) (2,5,7) Leonard Bernstein (o.v.) (rec. 1945) (78: Hargail set MW 501, ls.) (1,2,3) Leonard Bernstein (rec. c.1949) (4:57) (78: RCA Victor 12 0683 in set DM 1278, ls.) Camden CAL 214 (rel. 5-55, del. 2-58) (4,5) Leonard Bernstein (rec. c.1949) (3:32) (78: RCA Victor 12 0228 in set DM 1209, ls.) (vinyl 78: RCA Victor 18 0114 in set DV 15, ls.) Camden CAL 214 (rel. 5-55, del. 2-58); CAL 351 (6,7) Leonard Bernstein (rec. c.1949) (2:18) Camden CAL 214 (rel. 5-55, del. 2-58); CAL 351 Jeremiah symphony (1941-44; f.p. 1-28-44) Nan Merriman, St. Louis SO--Leonard Bernstein (rec. 12-1-45) ( 23: 30) (78: RCA Victor 11 8971-3 in set DM 1026, 6ss.) Camden CAL 196 (rel. 2-55, del. 6-60) "Single songs from tpe Broadway shows and arrangements for band, piano, etc., are omitted. Thanks to Jane Friedmann, CBS; Peter Dellheim, RCA; Paul de Rueck, Amberson Productions; George Sponhaltz, Capitol; James Smart, Library of Congress; Richard Warren, Jr., Yael Historical Sound Recordings; Derek Lewis, BBC.
    [Show full text]
  • Seasons/08-09/Chichester Translation.Pdf
    In 1965, Leonard Bernstein received a commission from the 1965 Southern Cathedral Festival to compose a piece for the cathedral choirs of Chichester, Winchester, and Salisbury. The result was the three-movement Chichester Psalms, a choral setting of a number of Hebrew psalm texts. This is Bernstein's version of church music: rhythmic, dramatic, yet fundamentally spiritual. The piece opens with the choir proclaiming Psalm 108, verse 2 (Awake, psaltery and harp!). This opening figure (particularly the upward leap of a minor seventh) recurs throughout the piece. The introduction leads into Psalm 100 (Make a joyful noise unto the Lord), a 7/4 dance that fits the joyous mood of the text. At times, this movement sounds like something out of West Side Story - it is percussive, with driving dance rhythms. The second movement starts with Psalm 23, with only a solo boy soprano and harp (suggesting David); the sopranos of the choir enter, repeating the solo melody. Suddenly and forcefully, the men interrupt in the middle of the Psalm 23 text (just after "Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me") with Psalm 2. The setting of this text differs greatly from the flowing melodic feel of Psalm 23; it is evocative of the conflict in the text, with the men at times almost shouting. The men's voices gradually fade, and the initial peaceful melody returns (along with the rest of the Psalm 23 text), with the men continuing underneath. Movement 3 begins with an instrumental introduction based on the opening figure of the piece. The choir then enters with Psalm 131, set in a fluid 10/4 meter.
    [Show full text]
  • Composition Catalog
    1 LEONARD BERNSTEIN AT 100 New York Content & Review Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. Marie Carter Table of Contents 229 West 28th St, 11th Floor Trudy Chan New York, NY 10001 Patrick Gullo 2 A Welcoming USA Steven Lankenau +1 (212) 358-5300 4 Introduction (English) [email protected] Introduction 8 Introduction (Español) www.boosey.com Carol J. Oja 11 Introduction (Deutsch) The Leonard Bernstein Office, Inc. Translations 14 A Leonard Bernstein Timeline 121 West 27th St, Suite 1104 Straker Translations New York, NY 10001 Jens Luckwaldt 16 Orchestras Conducted by Bernstein USA Dr. Kerstin Schüssler-Bach 18 Abbreviations +1 (212) 315-0640 Sebastián Zubieta [email protected] 21 Works www.leonardbernstein.com Art Direction & Design 22 Stage Kristin Spix Design 36 Ballet London Iris A. Brown Design Boosey & Hawkes Music Publishers Limited 36 Full Orchestra Aldwych House Printing & Packaging 38 Solo Instrument(s) & Orchestra 71-91 Aldwych UNIMAC Graphics London, WC2B 4HN 40 Voice(s) & Orchestra UK Cover Photograph 42 Ensemble & Chamber without Voice(s) +44 (20) 7054 7200 Alfred Eisenstaedt [email protected] 43 Ensemble & Chamber with Voice(s) www.boosey.com Special thanks to The Leonard Bernstein 45 Chorus & Orchestra Office, The Craig Urquhart Office, and the Berlin Library of Congress 46 Piano(s) Boosey & Hawkes • Bote & Bock GmbH 46 Band Lützowufer 26 The “g-clef in letter B” logo is a trademark of 47 Songs in a Theatrical Style 10787 Berlin Amberson Holdings LLC. Deutschland 47 Songs Written for Shows +49 (30) 2500 13-0 2015 & © Boosey & Hawkes, Inc. 48 Vocal [email protected] www.boosey.de 48 Choral 49 Instrumental 50 Chronological List of Compositions 52 CD Track Listing LEONARD BERNSTEIN AT 100 2 3 LEONARD BERNSTEIN AT 100 A Welcoming Leonard Bernstein’s essential approach to music was one of celebration; it was about making the most of all that was beautiful in sound.
    [Show full text]
  • Leonard Bernstein
    chamber music with a modernist edge. His Piano Sonata (1938) reflected his Leonard Bernstein ties to Copland, with links also to the music of Hindemith and Stravinsky, and his Sonata for Clarinet and Piano (1942) was similarly grounded in a neoclassical aesthetic. The composer Paul Bowles praised the clarinet sonata as having a "tender, sharp, singing quality," as being "alive, tough, integrated." It was a prescient assessment, which ultimately applied to Bernstein’s music in all genres. Bernstein’s professional breakthrough came with exceptional force and visibility, establishing him as a stunning new talent. In 1943, at age twenty-five, he made his debut with the New York Philharmonic, replacing Bruno Walter at the last minute and inspiring a front-page story in the New York Times. In rapid succession, Bernstein Leonard Bernstein photo © Susech Batah, Berlin (DG) produced a major series of compositions, some drawing on his own Jewish heritage, as in his Symphony No. 1, "Jeremiah," which had its first Leonard Bernstein—celebrated as one of the most influential musicians of the performance with the composer conducting the Pittsburgh Symphony in 20th century—ushered in an era of major cultural and technological transition. January 1944. "Lamentation," its final movement, features a mezzo-soprano He led the way in advocating an open attitude about what constituted "good" delivering Hebrew texts from the Book of Lamentations. In April of that year, music, actively bridging the gap between classical music, Broadway musicals, Bernstein’s Fancy Free was unveiled by Ballet Theatre, with choreography by jazz, and rock, and he seized new media for its potential to reach diverse the young Jerome Robbins.
    [Show full text]
  • INAUGURAL CONCERT Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: MISSA BREVIS in D, K194, Classics & Spirituals
    The Choral Foundation in the Midwest Presents the INAUGURAL CONCERT Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart: MISSA BREVIS IN D, K194, Classics & Spirituals The Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit & Chamber Orchestra Lynn Swanson & William O. Baker, DMA, Music Directors Steven McDonald, DMA, Organist Christine Freeman, soprano Jamea Sale, alto David White, tenor Michael Carter, bass Sunday Afternoon, 27 July 2014 St. Paul’s Episcopal Church Lee’s Summit, Missouri www.FestivalSingers.org The Summer Singers of Lee’s Summit William O. Baker, DMA Joseph Alsman Jennie Murphy Co-Music Director, Lee’s Summit David Armstrong Taura Owens Founder of the Choral Foundation Frances Armstrong Rebecca Palmer Nikki L. Banister Marjorie Peterson Lynn Swanson Michael Barnes Ruth Ann Phares Co- Music Director, Lee’s Summit Executive Associate of the Choral Foundation Toni Boehm Bruce Quaile *Jocelyn Botkin Charlotte Reynolds Christine Freeman Bridget Brown Carol Rothwell Associate Music Director/Senior Vocal Coach Mary K. Burrington Carole Runnenberger Darryl Chamberlain Vaughn Scarcliff Scott C. Smith Donna Chavez *Jim Schrock Choral Associate & Administrator, Atlanta Rachel Cheslik *Cindy Sheets Carl Chinnery Sarah Spilman Jamea Sale Amy Chinnery-Valmassei Nancy Stacy-Barrows Choral Assistant, Kansas City Carolyn Conner Joseph M. Steffen Charles Nelson Helen Darby Sandra Strawn Director, Northwest Georgia Summer Singers Pat DeMonbrun *Stephanie Sullivan Suzanne Fischer Lessie J. Thompson Amy Thropp Kenneth M. Frashier Don Thomson Director, Zimria Festivale Atlanta Linda Rene
    [Show full text]
  • BEYOND the BASICS Supplemental Programming for Leonard Bernstein at 100
    BEYOND THE BASICS Supplemental Programming for Leonard Bernstein at 100 BEYOND THE BASICS – Contents Page 1 of 37 CONTENTS FOREWORD ................................................................................. 4 FOR FULL ORCHESTRA ................................................................. 5 Bernstein on Broadway ........................................................... 5 Bernstein and The Ballet ......................................................... 5 Bernstein and The American Opera ........................................ 5 Bernstein’s Jazz ....................................................................... 6 Borrow or Steal? ...................................................................... 6 Coolness in the Concert Hall ................................................... 7 First Symphonies ..................................................................... 7 Romeos & Juliets ..................................................................... 7 The Bernstein Beat .................................................................. 8 “Young Bernstein” (working title) ........................................... 9 The Choral Bernstein ............................................................... 9 Trouble in Tahiti, Paradise in New York .................................. 9 Young People’s Concerts ....................................................... 10 CABARET.................................................................................... 14 A’s and B’s and Broadway ....................................................
    [Show full text]
  • Quarter Notes JIM HOGAN, EDITOR MARCH 2020 
    (ped. simile) Edward Weiss CALIFORNIA YOUTH SYMPHONY CALIFORNIA YOUTH SYMPHONY AddressAddress Service Service Requested Requested Forest Piano Quarter Notes JIM HOGAN, EDITOR MARCH 2020 Quarter Notes MARCH (CONCERT) MADNESS www.newagepianolessons.com Copyright © 2011 Edward Weiss The first three weekends of March offer music lovers some fabulous opportunities to enjoy California Youth Symphony music – concerts in San Mateo, Redwood City and the Sierra Foothills involving four of our stellar ensembles. Check out the details in this issue and be sure to join us for what is sure to be a marvelous musical month. Moderato con rubato MUSIC IN THE MOUNTAINS AND IN THE BAY After our widely acclaimed concert in Grass Valley, CA last season, in conjunction with Music in the Mountains, we are delighted to have been invited to perform there once CALIFORNICALIFORNIA YOUTHA YOUTH SYMPHONY SYMPHONY again. This year’s concert on Sunday, March 8, which will be repeated the following 6 Sunday, March 15 at the San Mateo Performing Arts Center, will mark an historic first LeoLeo Eyla Eylar, Conductorr, Conductor for CYS: for the first time in Maestro Leo Eylar’s 30-year tenure11 as Music Director the orchestra will join forces with a full chorus to perform Leonard Bernstein’s deeply 16 moving and profoundly beautiful choral masterpiece Chichester Psalms. The Music PresentingPresenting the theWorld World Premiere Premiere of of in the Mountains Chorus of over 100 members, under the direction of Maestro Ryan Murray, will collaborate with CYS on both March 8 and 15 as we perform this choral/ CALIFORNIA YOUTH SYMPHONY orchestral gem.
    [Show full text]
  • Summer Chorus Summer Philharmonic
    Summer Music 2018 Summer Chorus Summer Philharmonic Dominick DiOrio, Conductor Sam Ritter, Assistant Conductor “Set the Wild Echoes Flying” Psalms and Songs for Voices and Orchestra Joseph Ittoop, Tenor Jennie Moser, Soprano David Smolokoff, Tenor Nathanael Udell, Horn Michael Walker, Countertenor Auer Concert Hall Saturday, July 7, 2018 8:00 p.m. BLANK PAGE Thirty-Sixth Program of the 2018-19 Season _______________________ Summer Music 2018 Summer Chorus Summer Philharmonic Dominick DiOrio, Conductor Sam Ritter, Assistant Conductor “Set the Wild Echoes Flying” Psalms and Songs for Voices and Orchestra Joseph Ittoop, Tenor Jennie Moser, Soprano David Smolokoff, Tenor Nathanael Udell, Horn Michael Walker, Countertenor _________________ Auer Concert Hall Saturday Evening July Seventh Eight O’Clock music.indiana.edu “Set the Wild Echoes Flying” Psalms and Songs for Voices and Orchestra Chichester Psalms (1965) ..................... Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) Michael Walker, Countertenor Denique Isaac, Soprano Elise Anderson, Mezzo-Soprano Rodney Long, Tenor Grant Farmer, Baritone I Psalm 108, vs. 2 Urah, hanevel, v’chinor! Awake, psaltery and harp: A-irah shachar I will rouse the dawn! Psalm 100 Hariu l’Adonai kol haarets Make a joyful noise unto the Lord all ye lands. Iv’du et Adonai b’simcha. Serve the Lord with gladness. Bo-u l’fanav bir’nanah. Come before His presence with singing. D’u ki Adonai Hu Elohim. Know ye that the Lord, He is God. Hu asanu, v’lo anachnu. It is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves. Amo v’tson mar’ito. We are His people and the sheep of His pasture. Bo-u sh’arav b’todah, Enter into His gates with thanksgiving, Chatseirotav bit’hilah, And into His courts with praise.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LARK L'alouette JEAN ANOUILH After Centuries of Abuse
    THE LARK L’Alouette JEAN ANOUILH After centuries of abuse, repudiation, prejudice, misunderstanding, and indifference, Joan has been vindicated. The facts are now commonly known. No one in his right mind any longer questions her belief in her sacred mission, her dedication, and her accomplishments. After the Canonization and Shaw’s very credible interpretation, what was left? Only occasional variations on the theme, such as those by Bertolt Brecht and Maxwell Anderson. Before Anouilh, one could well have wondered, as some did, whether another first-rate drama, faithful to the truth about Joan, was possible. But for Anouilh another path opened. Perhaps we had become so absorbed in a cool analysis of the facts that we had lost the spirit of Joan, the sense of wonder and joy in the legend. Anouilh attempted to recapture what we might have been in danger of losing. He wrote The Lark in 1953. The translation used here was made in 1955 for the London premiere by the English poet and playwright Christopher Fry. The American dramatist Lillian Hellman adapted the play for the New York production later in the same year. NOTE The following note by Jean Anouilh appeared in the program of the French production of The Lark: The play that follows makes no attempt to explain the mystery of Joan. The persistent effort of so-called modern minds to explain mysteries is, in any case, one of the most naive and foolish activities indulged in by the puny human brain since it became overstocked with shallow political and scientific notions, and can yield nothing, in the long run, but the nostalgic satisfaction of the small boy who discovers at last that his mechanical duck was made up of two wheels, three springs and a screw.
    [Show full text]