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Event
Musica Sacra Dec. 7th, West Seattle, Christmas Concert
The first concert of the Musica Sacra Chamber Chorale's Christmas concert series will be presented at Holy Rosary Catholic Church in West Seattle, WA on Friday, December 7, 2012. The concert will start at 7:30 PM. This concert series, entitled A Candlelight Christmas, will provide a beautiful, musical introduction to both Advent and Christmas for all who attend.
The concert will open with a processional chant entitled "Unborn" taken from the sacred Buddhist tradition and sung by the Chorale as they slowly enter the church carrying candles. The evocative text, based on a 5th century text translated by Vikram Seth, and the austere music by English composer Alec Roth exhibit a profound sense of mystery and anticipation which are such strong elements of the Advent season and so characterize the first half of our concert. The piece ends with the Chorale singing of the transformation of the coming Christ through the lyrics "in my world's cessation lies my recreation".
The waiting continues with an ethereal version of "O Come Emmanuel" by Terry Schlenker followed by the deeply spiritual "Isaiah's Voice"; a marvelous setting by John Ferguson on a new text by John Thornburg inspired by Isaiah 40:1-11. This piece introduces our featured violin soloist for the series, the wonderful Marjorie Kransberg-Talvi.
Marjorie's gorgeous sound helps to create an atmosphere of mystery and awe as she continues to accompany the Chorale in the next two selections: Galante's shimmering "In The Bleak Midwinter" followed by Ola Gjeilo's serene "O Magnum Mysterium". Both have the power to transport the imagination to a different time and a different place.
The first half ends with two pieces describing the Annunciation: Joshua Shank's profound "Gabriel's Message" and Guy Forbes glorious setting for four part women of the "Ave Maria".
The second half opens with the men of the Chorale presenting Kenneth Sato's touching "Then Christmas Comes" which explores in music and verse our mindset at this wonderful time of the year. The full Chorale follows with a setting of Jessye's Carol by Donald Fraser entitled "This Christmastide". This carol was originally written for the famous American soprano Jessye Norman.
The Chorale then explores the concept of light. Bob Ingalls new arrangement of John Rutter's "Candlelight Carol" featuring soprano and baritone soloists is premiered followed by the elegant simplicity of Eric Whitacre's "Lux Aurumque" (Light and Gold) which describes in musical terms how light surrounds us as the "angels sing softly to the new-born babe".
We then celebrate the birth with Jan Pieters Sweelink's Dutch Renaissance masterpiece "Hodie Christus Natus Est". Our celebration continues as we change gears and present a jazz setting by Paul Halley of the spiritual "Go Tell It On The Mountain". Paul is well known for composing many of the pieces recorded by the Paul Winter Consort.
Our candlelight atmosphere reinforces the two final pieces on our program as we present Steven Paulus' contemporary setting of "Silent Night" followed by a stunning arrangement by James Moore of the Italian Baroque composer Guilio Caccini's "Dona Nobis Pacem". The latter once again brings our wonderful violin soloist to the stage to join the Chorale and cap off our program.
This concert will be an experience that will stir your heart; a not-to-be-missed event. Please consider bringing a friend.
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LocationHoly Rosary Catholic Church (View)
4202 SW Genesee St
Seattle, WA 98116
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: Yes! |
| Wheelchair Accessible: Yes! |
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