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Master Chorale Spring Concert Will Feature Orff & Brahms Works

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Master Chorale Spring Concert Will Feature Orff & Brahms Works

The Connecticut Master Chorale, under the direction of Tina Johns Heidrich, will perform its spring concert on Saturday, May 17, at 8 pm, at St. Rose of Lima Church.

The program will include Carl Orff’s thrilling and popular masterpiece Carmina Burana. Described by its composer as a “scenic cantata,” it is a setting of 24 poems that were discovered in the sacred confines of the Bavarian monastery of Benediktbeuren.

Carmina Burana made its debut in 1937 in Frankfurt and was an instant success. An original and effective composer, Orff made optimum use of rhythm and percussion combined with melodies based on chant and folk song. The texts and music evoke magical pictures that are impossible to forget. Carmina Burana celebrates life, love, religion, nature, spring, summer, music and dance.

Reaching the United States in January 1954, Carmina Burana remains enormously popular today. Portions of the exhilarating music are often used in commercials and films. Next to Handel’s Messiah, it is probably the most widely performed choral piece in the entire world.

Also on the program is Johannes Brahms’ emotional and poetically expressive Nänie. The genius of Brahms is evident in soaring and hovering melodic lines as the voices unfold and intertwine in this work which laments the transitory quality of all things: life, love, beauty and heroic glory. Nänie is immortal music that expresses the philosophy that beauty is not lost forever if it remains in the hearts of the living.

The Chorale will be joined by soprano Louise Fauteux, countertenor Jeffrey Mandelbaum, baritone Dan Kempson, The Litchfield County Children’s Choir, and accompanied by The Connecticut Master Chorale Orchestra.

Founded in 1999, the Connecticut Master Chorale is an ensemble of 55 vocalists based in western Connecticut. In addition to its regular three-concert season, the Chorale has performed at the White House, Madison Square Garden, West Point Military Academy, and three times at Carnegie Hall, all by invitation.

Newtown residents in the Master Chorale are Judy Bolduc, Ginnie Carey, Lisa Cedergren, Wendy Fong, Karen Orzechowski, Nancy Raymond, Pastor Gregory Wismar, and Dan Yee.

St Rose Church is at 46 Church Hill Road in Newtown. Admission for the spring concert is $20 in advance and $25 at the door. For tickets and information, call 743-0473 or visit CMChorale.org.

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