Submitted by Deirdre Roberts and Joyce Kirkpatrick
One defining feature of a fine choral
group lies in the ensemble’s ability to shift convincingly from the
stylistic differences of one composer’s music to that of another.
The Greater Middletown Chorale flourishes with varied programming.
Joseph D’Eugenio (pictured), now in his
fifteenth year as artistic director of the GMC, has selected an
ambitious program containing pieces by Bernstein, Britten, and Brahms
for the group’s concert at 7:00 p.m. on May 12th at the
Bethany Covenant Church in Berlin, CT.
With customary enthusiasm, Mr.
D’Eugenio offers: “One of the exciting parts about the GMC is
that the singers are open to performing established choral repertoire
by known composers and premiering new works by contemporary
composers. This chorale distinguishes itself by varied programming.
In this concert we have large ensemble pieces such as the Chichester
Psalms by Bernstein and Nänie by Johannes Brahms, but we
also have Rejoice in the Lamb by Britten. This is performed by
a chamber group of just sixteen singers, joined by a boy soprano and
a harpist. Also, there is a trio comprised of a soprano, cello and
piano performing the gorgeous pair of Op. 91 songs by Brahms. This
kind of programming is stimulating for the ensemble and audience
alike. ”
The GMC is drawn to the new ideas and
creative energy that visiting artists offer.
This version of the Chichester
Psalms is scored for a four-part choir, organ and treble soloist,
and Branford’s 12-year-old Henry Wheelock Hayden brings his clear,
soprano voice to ethereal effect in this work. The demanding
percussion and harp parts will be deftly played by harpist, Grace
Cloutier from New York and percussionist, Donald Holm from Boston.
The chorale’s excellent accompanist, Allan Conway, will move from
the piano to the organ for this piece.
Pianist, Joseph D’Eugenio (the very
same), and soprano, Susan von Reichenbach, already have a history of
recital performances together, particularly along the shoreline in
Connecticut where they have entranced audiences at The Kate and The
First Congregational Church in Old Lyme. In November, the Florence
Griswold Museum in Old Lyme will be the site of their next
performance together. First they will form a trio with cellist, Ann
West, to perform the pair of Brahms songs: Gestillte Sehnsecht
and Geistliches Wiegenlied on the May 12th program.
The audience will enjoy the contrast of these with the Brahms Nänie,
performed in the latter half of the program by the entire chorale.
While immersed in
preparing for the upcoming program, the GMC nonetheless looks ahead
toward next year’s commissioned project. Letter
From Italy, 1944 is being composed
by Wesleyan’s own music faculty member, Sarah Meneely-Kyder with
lyrics by her sister, Nancy Meneely. The epic work is based on the
story of their father, Dr. John Meneely who
served in the 10th Mountain Division in Southern Italy in
World War II.
The
Greater Middletown Chorale is a private, non-profit organization
providing great music for the people of Connecticut. It is funded
with the support of the State
of Connecticut, Department of Economic and Community Development’s
Connecticut Office of the Arts, Middletown Commission on the Arts,
Aetna Foundation, Chevron Humankind Grants and Pfizer Foundation.
Submitted by Deirdre Roberts and Joyce Kirkpatrick
For more information about the
Greater Middletown Chorale: http://www.greatermiddletownchorale.org/
or call: 860-316-4854
Contact: Dawn Alger, Concert &
Events Manager, The Greater Middletown Chorale
(860) 316-4854
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