November 13, 2008
La Jolla Symphony Chorus Introduces New Sacred Voices Series – “The Motet Project”
La Jolla, Calif. (Nov. 13, 2008) — The La Jolla Symphony and Chorus (LJS&C) presents the first in a new series of Sacred Voices concerts on Saturday, November 22 at St. Paul’s Cathedral in Hillcrest followed by a second concert on Sunday, November 23 at St. Elizabeth Seton Catholic Church in Carlsbad. Both concerts begin at 7:00 p.m.
“This season, we introduce The Motet Project,” says David Chase, choral director for La Jolla Symphony and Chorus. “Our program surveys the development of choral music from the renaissance to the 20th century. Of all the musical forms, the motet is perhaps the most consistent barometer of musical styles in over 500 years of sacred choral music history.”
Focusing on European composers whose genius added new dimensions to motet idiom in successive eras, Chase selected five works for the program. “We begin with a unique example of 16th century polyphony by Thomas Tallis and end with a startling 20th century motet by Brengt Hambraeus.”
Motets on the program include:
Spem in Alium, I have never put my hope in any other than you, god of Israel, (ca. 1567) by English composer Thomas Tallis. This a capella motet for 40 voices in eight choirs will be performed with choruses surrounding the audience.
Laetatus Sum I rejoiced at the words, by Italian composer Claudio Monteverdi. Described as “…a splendid torrent of sound…a wealth of colour and a continual vivacity”, this work was composed for St. Mark’s in Venice around 1640 and employs six solo voices and large chorus, with solo strings and trombones, harpsichord and organ.
Singet dem Herrn, Sing to the Lord, BWV (1722) a monumental and rarely heard work for double chorus by the revered German composer Johann Sebastian Bach.
Warum ist das Licht gegeben dem Mühseligen? Op. 74, no.1 (composed in 1877), is an inspiringly beautiful a capella motet for six-part chorus by the great German composer Johannes Brahms.
Two motet examples of 20th century composers complete the program with For lo, I raise up, Op. 145 (composed in 1914) for chorus and organ by Irish composer Charles Stanford, and Motetum Archangeli Michaelis for chorus and organ (1967) by Swedish composer Bengt Hambraeus (1928-2000).
Tickets are $15 adults, $12 students and seniors (65+) and $8 for youth (17 and younger). To purchase tickets or for more information, call the LJS&C office at 858-534-4637
The La Jolla Symphony & Chorus, San Diego’s oldest and largest community orchestra and chorus, is a non-profit musical performing group dedicated to inspiring San Diego with the joy of music. The choral and orchestra ensembles are known for performing groundbreaking music along with traditional favorites from the classical repertoire. The organization is currently celebrating its 54th season.
