EDITOR’s NOTE: Much thanks to George Loehmann of the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton for providing this preview of the choir’s season-opening concert.
Brass, percussion, organ and choir: Let your ears ring! At 4 p.m. Saturday (Oct. 15), the Madrigal Choir of Binghamton will be joined by 10 brass and percussion members of the Binghamton Philharmonic and organist Jean Henssler for “BRILLIANT BRASS! Masterpieces for Chorus and Brass” at Trinity Memorial Episcopal Church, 44 Main St., Binghamton.
Director Bruce Borton notes that “Trinity Church will ring with the brilliance of brass, percussion, organ and voices.”
Where better to start than with the Italian Renaissance? Two antiphonal works by Giovanni Gabrieli (c.1554/1557-1612) — designed to take advantage of the two facing choir lofts of San Marco’s cathedral in Venice, where Gabrieli was principal organist and composer — open the concert. “O Magnum Misterium,” published in 1587, offers up grace and majesty, while “Jubilate Deo” heralds a bridge to the Baroque era.
The concert also features a piece by Gabrieli’s German student, Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672). His “Jauchzet dem Herren” sets Psalm 100 as a spirited, dance-like sacred motet and antiphonal to boot.
Next, the brass ensemble will perform works by William Byrd (c. 1540-1623) and Orlando di Lasso (c. 1532-1594), followed by organist Jean Henssler playing the music of Dutch composer Jan Pieterzoon Sweelinck (1562-1621).
Choir, brass and organ cap the concert in the 20th century, with English composer John Rutter’s (b. 1945) “Gloria” (1974). The work has been described as “exquisitely balanced vocal writing, melting harmonies, intensely sweet turns of phrase.” Brilliant instrumental and vocal writing combine to make this one of Rutter’s most exciting choral works.
IF YOU GO: Tickets for this concert can be purchased online at http://madrigalchoir.com and at the door at $20 ($5 for students with ID). Additional information also is available on the website.
— George Loehmann
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