The featured work for our December program, Missa Brevis for the Refugees of War by Saratoga composer Henry Mollicone was conceived as a musical prayer for the millions of refugees from the conflicts in the Middle East and in Africa. Coincidentally Daniel Pinkham and Mr. Mollicone were close friends - Pinkham was Mr. Mollicone's composition teacher. This is Mr Mollicone's first vocal work with woodwind quintet - he studied Christmas Jubilations for inspiration for this lovely and very moving Mass.
Our Holiday program will be accompanied by the Frequency 49 Woodwind Quintet. Based in San Francisco, the quintet is in much demand by contemporary composers to perform premiers for a wide variety of music from classical, classical fusion and hip-hop to jazz. Individual members of the ensemble also perform solo and with orchestras throughout the Bay Area.
The opening work, Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis by Dale Ramsey, as well as Daniel Pinkham's Christmas Jubilations are also scored for woodwind quintet and chorus, not a common combination. Two other works also take advantage of our woodwind players - Gaudete, by Anders Ohrwall, is accompanied by a woodwind trio, and Craig Kingsbury's O Magnum Mysterium, by oboe. The finale, three traditional carols arranged by Stephen Paulus, is a jazzy combination of a cappella singing and flute accompaniment. The texts of all the pieces may be familiar, but are set to the music with slight twists, subtle quirks or unique compositional techniques, so you have to listen closely to pick up on the nuances. It's all really fun to sing.
All the pieces in the show are late 20th/early 21st Century compositions, and the texts are liturgical, although some perhaps not typically Christmas. If you are thinking, hmmmm, another Christmas show, this isn't like anything else you might be hearing this Christmas season. It really is out-of-the-ordinary.
DISCLAIMER: Our aim is to continuously provide our
progressive audience with an open and interactive medium to view
and share relevant,
beneficial and interesting "career, economic, lifestyle and
networking" listings, ads, content and resources.
While the above information may be accurate and viable, the role
of Minority Professional Network, Inc. (MPN) is
strictly as a communications medium, and we do not
accept any responsibility for
cancellation, changes, errors, omissions, inconveniences, or any other form
of liability for any content
displayed or disseminated via our web sites, or e-marketing or social media
promotional services.
If there are any
doubts, we
encourage you to conduct additional research or contact the listed host or responsible entity.
CLICK HERE to inform us about any ads, listings or content
which appear to be
inappropriate,
fraudulent or misleading, or inconsistent with our theme and focus.