Victoria Philharmonic Choir presents
Romantic Choral Jewels – Brahms, Rheinberger, Schumann & Mendelssohn
Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm
Alix Goolden Hall, 907 Pandora Ave.
For immediate release October 12, 2009
The Victoria Philharmonic Choir launches its 2009-2010 concert season with a concert of Romantic Choral Jewels – Brahms, Rheinberger, Schumann & Mendelssohn. This will be the 48-member choir’s first full season under the inspiring musical leadership of Peter Butterfield.
The November 13th concert features both sacred and secular repertoire of the late Romantic period. The first half includes Johannes Brahms' peerless setting of love poems, 'Liebeslieder' (op.52), with guest accompanists Kim Cousineau and Kelly Charlton. Two settings of gypsy poems, 'Zigeunerleben' of Schumann, and the 'Ziguenerlieder' of Brahms are also included. The most well-known movement of the Brahms Requiem, 'How lovely are thy dwellings fair' provides a contrast, and the motet, 'Warum ist das Licht gegeben', composed in 1877, gives the listener a glimpse of Brahms at his most questioning and introspective. The polyphonal writing gives an unmistakeable nod to Bach, but Brahms still manages to create his own distinctive voice. The VPC sings in two choirs in the second half, performing two movements of Rheinberger's 'Mass in e flat' and Mendelssohn's setting of Psalm 2, 'Why rage fiercely the heathen?'.
Tickets are $20 for adults, $15 for students, and are available in Victoria through Ivy’s, Munro’s and Cadboro Bay Books, as well as Long & McQuade Music, and in Sidney at Tanner’s Books.
Now in its fourth season, the VPC continues to provide Victoria and Vancouver Island with live performances of choral music of the highest caliber. In 2009, VPC has performed Carmina Burana in Victoria and Duncan, as guests of the Victoria Symphony, as well as a program of motets, conducted by Peter Butterfield, in May.
Upcoming performances include a: A Christmas Carol Family Celebration on December 22nd, and in March 2010, Bach’s St. Matthew Passion, in collaboration with Vancouver Voices.
Media contact: Sherry Lepage 250.598.6433 sherrylepage@shaw.ca
Peter Butterfield bio & photo on the VPC website: www.vpchoir.ca
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