Grace Spritus Chorale May 17-P Slope/19th BHts/22nd Gr

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Please support your local choristers...come to the Spring Concert of Grace and Spiritus Chorale! Members are Brooklynites from age 20-80+.
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THREE CONCERTS STARTING THIS FRIDAY!

Spring 2009

Grace & Spiritus Chorale of Brooklyn is pleased to present:

Inspiration: Princes, Gypsies and Ethos

Friday, May 15, 2009 at 8:00 pm at Old First Reform Church in Park Slope (7th Avenue and Carroll Street)

Sunday, May 17, 2009 at 4:00 pm at St. Ann's Church in Brooklyn Heights (corner of Clinton and Pierrepont)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009 at 7:30 pm at Lafayette Avenue Presbyterian Church in Fort Greene (South Oxford Street at Lafayette)

Admission: $15, $12 for Seniors and Children

Tickets available at the door and at Smarttix

Click here to buy tickets to Inspiration: Princes, Gypsies And Ethos via smarttix.com

Composers learn to negotiate many different voices when they embark on their work. A commissioning body, texts, musical philosophy and politics can all vie for attention in this process.

In this concert we explore these sources of inspiration for composers. These works speak for themselves, ultimately. The interplay between art, commerce and business can enliven our understanding of these pieces.

G. F. Handel (1685-1759) had been in London 17 years when his patron, George I of Hanover, appointed him "Composer of the Court". When King George died a few months later, Handel found himself with the task of composing the music for the coronation of the new king, George II. Handel rose to the task and created the Coronation Anthems that so perfectly fit the splendid occasion, they have been included in every ceremony since.

Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) is well known for his love of folk and gyspy melody. He was also a choral conductor who understood the relationship and colors possible in the combination of voices. In the Ziegeunerlieder (Gypsy Songs) Brahms creates a choral song cycle that creates a musical portrait of rich passions and exciting journeys.

Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847) looked backward for inspiration in a formal sense. Harmonically however he was firmly in his Zeitgeist. The choral writing in the two Psalm settings we will perform reflect these dual qualities. He furthers his craft as a transformer rather than an innovator.

Henrik Gorecki (b. 1933) has resisted the sway of commercial success, remaining true to his vision and philosophy. Broad Waters is a surprisingly simple setting of folk texts from his native Poland. They are broad departures from his early work, but distinguish themselves with their elegance and honesty.

We are proud of our ongoing collaboration with Opera on Tap, please visit their website

Grace & Spiritus Chorale of Brooklyn
e-mail: [email protected] | 718.707.1411 | 254 Hicks Street, Brooklyn, New York 11201[/b]