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Press Releases
Pipes and Voices
On Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 6,183 pipes and 40 voices will
combine for an evening of music for organ and chorus unlike
any previously heard in the City of New York.
'Pipes and Voices' will be presented by Voices of Ascension led by Music Director Dennis Keene, with organist Mark Kruczek. It is the second choral/organ concert in the inaugural festival for the new Manton Memorial Organ, the first French-built organ in New York, and - with 6,183 pipes, 95 stops, 111 ranks, 2 consoles and 7 keyboards - the largest French organ built in almost 50 years.
Earlier festival concerts established the new instrument's bona fides in French symphonic organ and choral repertoire, and Baroque music of Germany, France and Spain. 'Pipes and Voices' will further expand its range, with two 20th century masterpieces of the choral/organ repertoire: Zoltan Kodaly's Missa Brevis, which emerged from the crucible of World War II Hungary; and Hubert Parry's quintessential British ceremonial anthem from 1902, I was glad. The rest of the program will launch the organ into the 21st century with its first premieres, by four winners of the Sorel Composition Competition: Chiayu, Dorothy VanAndel Frisch, Marilyn Shrude and Dobrinka Tabakova.
PIPES AND VOICES
Voices of Ascension Dennis Keene, Conductor Mark Kruczek, Organist
Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 8:00 p.m. Church of the Ascension, Fifth Avenue at 10th Street, New York, NY 10011
Kodaly: Missa Brevis; Parry: I was glad; Chiayu: 'Metal,' 'Water' and 'Wood' from Five Essences for solo organ (World Premiere); and winners of the 2011 Sorel Composition Competition - Dobrinka Tabakova: Syng, Hevin Imperiall (World Premiere); Dorothy VanAndel Frisch: At a Solemn Music (World Premiere); Marilyn Shrude: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (New York Premiere).
Single ticket prices: $10, $25, $40, $60 Tickets: 212/358-7060 or Voices of Ascension website: www.voicesofascension.org
Dennis Keene on Missa Brevis
Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly loved choral music more than anything else; indeed, choral music makes up the largest body of his compositions - almost no other 20th century composer was so devoted to the medium. Written in hiding during the last year of World War II, this work clearly expresses humankinds pleas for mercy and for peace.
Dennis Keene on I was glad
Parry's I was glad is the quintessential British ceremonial anthem, written for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and performed at every coronation since. It was also featured at the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, and most recently at the marriage of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Chiayu and 'Metal,' 'Water' and 'Wood' from Five Essences (World Premiere)
Born in Taiwan, Chiayu composes music that combines Chinese elements and western techniques. She holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University and Duke University, and her teachers have included Jennifer Higdon, Roberto Sierra and Ezra Laderman. Chiayu's music has won awards from the music culture International Competition, the Sorel Organization and ASCAP, among others. Her works have been performed by the London Sinfonietta; Detroit, San Francisco and Toledo Symphony Orchestras; Nashville Symphony; American Composers Orchestra; Aspen Music Festival Contemporary Ensemble; eighth blackbird; Prism Quartet and Ciompi Quartet. More information is available on her website: www.chiayuhsu.com
Five Essences is based on the interaction of the five elements that in traditional Chinese philosophy constitute all natural phenomena: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. 'Metal' is energetic, powerful and rhythmical, representing the force of gravity, mineral within the earth, and the power of electrical conductivity and magnetism. 'Water' flows between yin and yang with constantly running sextuplets, representing the source of life on this planet. 'Wood' represents spring, when plants root and grow, with its own chordal theme plus material derived from the 'Metal' movement (the five elements are always connected in some way).
Dorothy VanAndel Frisch and At a Solemn Music (World Premiere)
Composer, singer, organist, and pianist Dorothy VanAndel Frisch believes strongly that music is a gift for people of all ages and abilities. In addition to writing music for preschoolers through adults and for church groups, she composes and arranges music for unusual combinations of instruments and voices. Throughout her career, Ms. Frisch has focused on encouraging as many people as possible to use their musical gifts in worship, composing music as needed. A graduate of Calvin College and the University of Akron, she studied composition with Alice Parker and Jeanne Cotter. Ms. Frisch is Composer-in-Residence and Associate Organist of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Southbridge, Massachusetts.
At a Solemn Music, set to a text by John Milton, is for eight- part mixed choir and organ. According to the composer, 'Milton's vision is of the perfect harmony of heaven and earth, which the fall of Adam and Eve disrupted, bringing discord into the world...The poem presents an interesting challenge for the composer, in that the first 24 lines comprise one sentence! However, the many word pictures of Milton lend themselves to corresponding text painting in both the choral and organ parts.'
Marilyn Shrude and How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (New York Premiere)
Marilyn Shrude received degrees from Alverno College and Northwestern University, where she studied composition with Alan Stout and M. William Karlins. Among her honors are those from the Guggenheim Foundation, American Academy of Arts and Letters, Rockefeller Foundation, Chamber Music America/ASCAP, Meet the Composer and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was the first woman to receive the Kennedy Center Friedheim Award for Orchestral Music and the Cleveland Arts Prize for Music. As a composer, pianist, teacher, and contemporary music advocate, Ms. Shrude has consistently promoted American music as founder and director of the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music and as chair of the Department of Musicology/Composition/Theory at Bowling Green State University.
How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place, for four-part choir and organ, was commissioned and premiered in 1999 by the Choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, Ohio. This gentle and nostalgic setting of Psalm 84 was written in memory of Robin McEwen, a talented musician who was a vibrant and generous member of the community. Embedded in the piece are references to the Gregorian Requiem Mass ('Agnus Dei' and 'In Paradisum/Alleluia').
Dobrinka Tabakova and Syng, Hevin Imperiall (World Premiere)
British/Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and was awarded a doctorate in composition from King's College London. Her teachers have included Simon Bainbridge, Diana Burrell, Robert Keeley and Andrew Schultz, as well as masterclasses with John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Alexander Goehr and Iannis Xenakis, among others. Her awards include the Jean-Frederic Perrenoud Prize and Medal at the 4th Vienna International Music Competition, and the prize for the Queen's Golden Jubilee anthem. She has worked with many of today's leading musicians and ensembles, including Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer, St. Paul's Cathedral Choir and John Scott, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. More information is available on her website: www.dobrinka.com
The composer writes, 'The text for this anthem was taken from 'On the Nativity of Christ' by the 15th century Scottish poet William Dunbar. I find the unique sound of the original text combined with the Latin phrases, which punctuate the poem, extremely appealing and evocative. The line which eventually gave its name to the work inspired me to imagine the space and acoustics of the Church of Ascension.'
Voices of Ascension
Voices of Ascension, one of the world's premier professional choral ensembles, is distinctive for its artistic command of music of all periods and styles. Now in its 21st season under Artistic Director Dennis Keene, the ensemble's concerts and recordings have received unalloyed critical acclaim.
Voices of Ascension's nine recordings with Delos International include such best sellers as 'Beyond Chant,' 'The Durufle Album,' 'Prince of Music - The Greatest Choral Works of Palestrina,' and the Berlioz Te Deum. Their latest CD, released on the Naxos label, is entitled 'Song of the Stars,' and features world premiere recordings of works by Granados and other Catalan composers.
Voices of Ascension performs and records regularly at The Church of the Ascension, where it was founded as an independent organization in 1990. In 2010, the ensemble celebrated its 20th anniversary with a concert in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Guest appearances have been with the San Francisco Symphony, EOS Orchestra, the Mark Morris Dance Group, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and at national conferences of major American musical organizations; upcoming are the Jose Limon Dance Company and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Dennis Keene
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director and Conductor of Voices of Ascension, is an internationally renowned conductor. Through his concerts and recordings with Voices of Ascension, regular guest appearances as conductor and clinician, and his work as Artistic Director of the Dennis Keene Choral Festival, he has emerged as one of the preeminent figures in choral music today. Recognized early as an exceptional organist, he earned a doctorate at The Juilliard School and won its coveted Dethier Prize. Dr. Keene went on to study conducting at the Pierre Monteux School, as well as organ in Paris with Marie-Madeleine Durufle, wife of the composer Maurice Durufle. Maestro Keene's complete retrospective of Durufle's works in 1989 spurred the creation of Voices of Ascension. His many recordings of choral works on Delos International have become the standard for first-ranked ensembles worldwide. He has served on the board of Chorus America, which awarded him its first Louis Botto Award for 'innovative action and entrepreneurial zeal in developing a professional ensemble of exceptional artistic quality.'
Mark Kruczek
Mark Kruczek began his musical training at DePaul University in Chicago with Arthur Becker, and also did undergraduate and graduate work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, studying under organists Conrad Bernier, Robert Twynham and George Baker. He holds a BM and MM from The Juilliard School, where he studied under Vernon de Tar and was awarded the Gaston Dethier Organ Prize. He has served on the faculty of the Catholic University of America and is currently an independent opera coach and accompanist in New York City. Since 1979 he has held the post of Director of Music at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Jackson Heights, New York. In 1985, Mr. Kruczek founded Chorus Angelorum of Northwest Indiana, a professional chorus that performs the great sacred choral repertoire. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Music Commission for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Mr. Kruczek has been organist and accompanist for Voices of Ascension since 1981.
The Sorel Organization
The Elizabeth and Michel Sorel Charitable Organization was founded in 1996 by their daughter, Claudette Sorel. Ms. Sorel was a child piano prodigy. She was the youngest graduate of The Juilliard School, completing her degree at age 9. She became a distinguished professor of piano, at SUNY, Fredonia. Ms. Sorel passed away in 1999. The Foundation's mission is to keep musical excellence alive and help stretch the boundaries for women in music. Ms. Sorel's stated priorities were composition, scholarships, internships, and sponsorship of lectures, workshops and performances.
The Manton Memorial Organ
The Manton Memorial Organ was made possible by a grant from The Manton Foundation in memory of Sir Edwin and Lady Manton, active members of the Church of the Ascension for over 50 years. The Mantons were avid lovers of music, particularly the music of Olivier Messiaen and other French composers.
-- END --
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION:
For additional information, interview access and photos, please contact Nancy Shear Arts Services, National Press Representatives, at 212/496-9418, sheararts@nancyshear.com and www.nancyshear.com.
'Pipes and Voices' will be presented by Voices of Ascension led by Music Director Dennis Keene, with organist Mark Kruczek. It is the second choral/organ concert in the inaugural festival for the new Manton Memorial Organ, the first French-built organ in New York, and - with 6,183 pipes, 95 stops, 111 ranks, 2 consoles and 7 keyboards - the largest French organ built in almost 50 years.
Earlier festival concerts established the new instrument's bona fides in French symphonic organ and choral repertoire, and Baroque music of Germany, France and Spain. 'Pipes and Voices' will further expand its range, with two 20th century masterpieces of the choral/organ repertoire: Zoltan Kodaly's Missa Brevis, which emerged from the crucible of World War II Hungary; and Hubert Parry's quintessential British ceremonial anthem from 1902, I was glad. The rest of the program will launch the organ into the 21st century with its first premieres, by four winners of the Sorel Composition Competition: Chiayu, Dorothy VanAndel Frisch, Marilyn Shrude and Dobrinka Tabakova.
PIPES AND VOICES
Voices of Ascension Dennis Keene, Conductor Mark Kruczek, Organist
Wednesday, June 8, 2011, 8:00 p.m. Church of the Ascension, Fifth Avenue at 10th Street, New York, NY 10011
Kodaly: Missa Brevis; Parry: I was glad; Chiayu: 'Metal,' 'Water' and 'Wood' from Five Essences for solo organ (World Premiere); and winners of the 2011 Sorel Composition Competition - Dobrinka Tabakova: Syng, Hevin Imperiall (World Premiere); Dorothy VanAndel Frisch: At a Solemn Music (World Premiere); Marilyn Shrude: How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (New York Premiere).
Single ticket prices: $10, $25, $40, $60 Tickets: 212/358-7060 or Voices of Ascension website: www.voicesofascension.org
Dennis Keene on Missa Brevis
Hungarian composer Zoltan Kodaly loved choral music more than anything else; indeed, choral music makes up the largest body of his compositions - almost no other 20th century composer was so devoted to the medium. Written in hiding during the last year of World War II, this work clearly expresses humankinds pleas for mercy and for peace.
Dennis Keene on I was glad
Parry's I was glad is the quintessential British ceremonial anthem, written for the coronation of King Edward VII in 1902 and performed at every coronation since. It was also featured at the wedding of Charles, Prince of Wales and Diana, Princess of Wales, and most recently at the marriage of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.
Chiayu and 'Metal,' 'Water' and 'Wood' from Five Essences (World Premiere)
Born in Taiwan, Chiayu composes music that combines Chinese elements and western techniques. She holds degrees from the Curtis Institute of Music, Yale University and Duke University, and her teachers have included Jennifer Higdon, Roberto Sierra and Ezra Laderman. Chiayu's music has won awards from the music culture International Competition, the Sorel Organization and ASCAP, among others. Her works have been performed by the London Sinfonietta; Detroit, San Francisco and Toledo Symphony Orchestras; Nashville Symphony; American Composers Orchestra; Aspen Music Festival Contemporary Ensemble; eighth blackbird; Prism Quartet and Ciompi Quartet. More information is available on her website: www.chiayuhsu.com
Five Essences is based on the interaction of the five elements that in traditional Chinese philosophy constitute all natural phenomena: fire, earth, metal, water and wood. 'Metal' is energetic, powerful and rhythmical, representing the force of gravity, mineral within the earth, and the power of electrical conductivity and magnetism. 'Water' flows between yin and yang with constantly running sextuplets, representing the source of life on this planet. 'Wood' represents spring, when plants root and grow, with its own chordal theme plus material derived from the 'Metal' movement (the five elements are always connected in some way).
Dorothy VanAndel Frisch and At a Solemn Music (World Premiere)
Composer, singer, organist, and pianist Dorothy VanAndel Frisch believes strongly that music is a gift for people of all ages and abilities. In addition to writing music for preschoolers through adults and for church groups, she composes and arranges music for unusual combinations of instruments and voices. Throughout her career, Ms. Frisch has focused on encouraging as many people as possible to use their musical gifts in worship, composing music as needed. A graduate of Calvin College and the University of Akron, she studied composition with Alice Parker and Jeanne Cotter. Ms. Frisch is Composer-in-Residence and Associate Organist of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church in Southbridge, Massachusetts.
At a Solemn Music, set to a text by John Milton, is for eight- part mixed choir and organ. According to the composer, 'Milton's vision is of the perfect harmony of heaven and earth, which the fall of Adam and Eve disrupted, bringing discord into the world...The poem presents an interesting challenge for the composer, in that the first 24 lines comprise one sentence! However, the many word pictures of Milton lend themselves to corresponding text painting in both the choral and organ parts.'
Marilyn Shrude and How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place (New York Premiere)
Marilyn Shrude received degrees from Alverno College and Northwestern University, where she studied composition with Alan Stout and M. William Karlins. Among her honors are those from the Guggenheim Foundation, American Academy of Arts and Letters, Rockefeller Foundation, Chamber Music America/ASCAP, Meet the Composer and the National Endowment for the Arts. She was the first woman to receive the Kennedy Center Friedheim Award for Orchestral Music and the Cleveland Arts Prize for Music. As a composer, pianist, teacher, and contemporary music advocate, Ms. Shrude has consistently promoted American music as founder and director of the MidAmerican Center for Contemporary Music and as chair of the Department of Musicology/Composition/Theory at Bowling Green State University.
How Lovely is Your Dwelling Place, for four-part choir and organ, was commissioned and premiered in 1999 by the Choir of the First Presbyterian Church of Bowling Green, Ohio. This gentle and nostalgic setting of Psalm 84 was written in memory of Robin McEwen, a talented musician who was a vibrant and generous member of the community. Embedded in the piece are references to the Gregorian Requiem Mass ('Agnus Dei' and 'In Paradisum/Alleluia').
Dobrinka Tabakova and Syng, Hevin Imperiall (World Premiere)
British/Bulgarian composer Dobrinka Tabakova graduated from the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, and was awarded a doctorate in composition from King's College London. Her teachers have included Simon Bainbridge, Diana Burrell, Robert Keeley and Andrew Schultz, as well as masterclasses with John Adams, Louis Andriessen, Alexander Goehr and Iannis Xenakis, among others. Her awards include the Jean-Frederic Perrenoud Prize and Medal at the 4th Vienna International Music Competition, and the prize for the Queen's Golden Jubilee anthem. She has worked with many of today's leading musicians and ensembles, including Janine Jansen, Gidon Kremer, St. Paul's Cathedral Choir and John Scott, Academy of St. Martin in the Fields and BBC National Orchestra of Wales. More information is available on her website: www.dobrinka.com
The composer writes, 'The text for this anthem was taken from 'On the Nativity of Christ' by the 15th century Scottish poet William Dunbar. I find the unique sound of the original text combined with the Latin phrases, which punctuate the poem, extremely appealing and evocative. The line which eventually gave its name to the work inspired me to imagine the space and acoustics of the Church of Ascension.'
Voices of Ascension
Voices of Ascension, one of the world's premier professional choral ensembles, is distinctive for its artistic command of music of all periods and styles. Now in its 21st season under Artistic Director Dennis Keene, the ensemble's concerts and recordings have received unalloyed critical acclaim.
Voices of Ascension's nine recordings with Delos International include such best sellers as 'Beyond Chant,' 'The Durufle Album,' 'Prince of Music - The Greatest Choral Works of Palestrina,' and the Berlioz Te Deum. Their latest CD, released on the Naxos label, is entitled 'Song of the Stars,' and features world premiere recordings of works by Granados and other Catalan composers.
Voices of Ascension performs and records regularly at The Church of the Ascension, where it was founded as an independent organization in 1990. In 2010, the ensemble celebrated its 20th anniversary with a concert in Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center. Guest appearances have been with the San Francisco Symphony, EOS Orchestra, the Mark Morris Dance Group, the Mostly Mozart Festival, and at national conferences of major American musical organizations; upcoming are the Jose Limon Dance Company and The Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Dennis Keene
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director and Conductor of Voices of Ascension, is an internationally renowned conductor. Through his concerts and recordings with Voices of Ascension, regular guest appearances as conductor and clinician, and his work as Artistic Director of the Dennis Keene Choral Festival, he has emerged as one of the preeminent figures in choral music today. Recognized early as an exceptional organist, he earned a doctorate at The Juilliard School and won its coveted Dethier Prize. Dr. Keene went on to study conducting at the Pierre Monteux School, as well as organ in Paris with Marie-Madeleine Durufle, wife of the composer Maurice Durufle. Maestro Keene's complete retrospective of Durufle's works in 1989 spurred the creation of Voices of Ascension. His many recordings of choral works on Delos International have become the standard for first-ranked ensembles worldwide. He has served on the board of Chorus America, which awarded him its first Louis Botto Award for 'innovative action and entrepreneurial zeal in developing a professional ensemble of exceptional artistic quality.'
Mark Kruczek
Mark Kruczek began his musical training at DePaul University in Chicago with Arthur Becker, and also did undergraduate and graduate work at the Catholic University of America in Washington, DC, studying under organists Conrad Bernier, Robert Twynham and George Baker. He holds a BM and MM from The Juilliard School, where he studied under Vernon de Tar and was awarded the Gaston Dethier Organ Prize. He has served on the faculty of the Catholic University of America and is currently an independent opera coach and accompanist in New York City. Since 1979 he has held the post of Director of Music at St. Joan of Arc Roman Catholic Church in Jackson Heights, New York. In 1985, Mr. Kruczek founded Chorus Angelorum of Northwest Indiana, a professional chorus that performs the great sacred choral repertoire. He is also a member of the Roman Catholic Diocesan Music Commission for the Diocese of Brooklyn. Mr. Kruczek has been organist and accompanist for Voices of Ascension since 1981.
The Sorel Organization
The Elizabeth and Michel Sorel Charitable Organization was founded in 1996 by their daughter, Claudette Sorel. Ms. Sorel was a child piano prodigy. She was the youngest graduate of The Juilliard School, completing her degree at age 9. She became a distinguished professor of piano, at SUNY, Fredonia. Ms. Sorel passed away in 1999. The Foundation's mission is to keep musical excellence alive and help stretch the boundaries for women in music. Ms. Sorel's stated priorities were composition, scholarships, internships, and sponsorship of lectures, workshops and performances.
The Manton Memorial Organ
The Manton Memorial Organ was made possible by a grant from The Manton Foundation in memory of Sir Edwin and Lady Manton, active members of the Church of the Ascension for over 50 years. The Mantons were avid lovers of music, particularly the music of Olivier Messiaen and other French composers.
-- END --
THE FOLLOWING IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION:
For additional information, interview access and photos, please contact Nancy Shear Arts Services, National Press Representatives, at 212/496-9418, sheararts@nancyshear.com and www.nancyshear.com.
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