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The Rockbridge Choral Society presents a concert of works by Gibbons and Schütz, given by the Rockbridge Chamber Singers, William McCorkle, director, this Sunday, Feb. 23, at 3 p.m. at Lexington Presbyterian Church.
Over the past quarter century, the Rockbridge Chamber Singers, a small ensemble from within the ranks of the Rockbridge Chorus, has presented performances of short choral masterpieces, exploring music of many composers, national styles, and time periods. The ensemble has also functioned frequently as a semi-chorus of the larger Rockbridge Chorus in performances of extended choral works.
Sunday’s program will feature the genius of two of choral music’s giants, Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), and Heinrich Schütz (1585-1672). These two composers, leading exponents of the choral art in, respectively, England and Germany, have come to be recognized as among the most important and influential figures in the history of western music. This concert is part of a worldwide celebration of the 400th anniversary of Gibbons’ death.
Orlando Gibbons, sometimes called “the Mozart” of the English Tudor era, produced an exceptional corpus of compositions in his short life. The concert will open with works by Gibbons: four of his best-known and most admired anthems. The a cappella tradition will be represented by “Almighty and Everlasting God” and “O Lord, in Thy Wrath.” The “verse” anthem tradition, in which statements by solo voices alternate with passages for the full ensemble, will be displayed in the radiant “O Thou, the Central Orb of Righteous Love” and the sublime “This Is the Record of John.”
The remainder of the program will be devoted to the music of Heinrich Schütz, the most outstanding and prolific exponent of vocal and choral ensemble music in 17th-century Germany. The chorus will present one of the composer’s most celebrated and challenging works, a cycle of five songs known as the ‘Quid commisisti” cycle, spiritual reflections on the Passion [suffering and crucifixion] of Christ. A brighter contrast will be heard in Schütz’s German-language “Magnificat” setting, and in an antiphonal setting of verses from Psalm 19.
In alternation with the full choral ensemble pieces, there will be a rich sampling from Schütz’s many pieces for one or more solo voices, including, in this performance, works for one, two, four, and seven voices. Featured as soloists will be members of the ensemble and guests, including sopranos Christine Fairfield, Melissa Holland, Anne Sauder, Maia Browning Olson, Sarah Swett, Jessica LaPrice; mezzo-soprano Christine Schadeberg; tenors Scott Williamson and Adam Williams; and baritones Charles Blueweiss and Michael McLaughlin. William McCorkle and Scott Williamson will share conducting duties in the concert, with McCorkle providing organ accompaniment on some of the pieces.
Advance tickets for the performance are available online at rcs.org ($12.50/$35 family), or at the door ($15/$40 family). Anyone wishing further information is asked to call (540) 4609650.
The Rockbridge Chamber Singers are a component of the Rockbridge Choral Society, which realizes its mission thanks to contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations.
