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Kent Tritle’s 2026-27 Season: Mozart’s Requiem, Bach’s Mass in B Minor, Musgrave's 'The Voices of Our Ancestors,' and More
Also: “SurRound: The Earth Remembers” and Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols with Musica Sacra; Jasmine Barnes’s Portraits: Douglass & Tubman, Fauré’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah with OSNY
Kent Tritle at Carnegie Hall, 2026. Photo by Brian Hatton
Emblematic of his work as “New York’s reigning choral conductor” (The New York Times), Kent Tritle’s 2026-27 concert season is highlighted by performances of major works with his three esteemed choruses: Mozart’s Requiem with the Cathedral Choirs of St. John the Divine, Bach’s Mass in B Minor with the Oratorio Society of New York, and Thea Musgrave’s The Voices of Our Ancestors with Musica Sacra.
In addition, Kent leads “SurRound: The Earth Remembers,” the latest iteration of Musica Sacra’s immersive concert format, under the spectacular Gaia art installation at St. John the Divine, and Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols, the focus of that group’s annual holiday concert; and Jasmine Barnes’s Portraits: Douglass & Tubman, Fauré’s Requiem, and Handel’s Messiah with the Oratorio Society of New York in its Carnegie Hall programs.
Kent also prepares Musica Sacra for its latest collaborations with other top-tier organizations: Carnegie Hall’s presentation of Götterdämmerung, part of Wagner’s Ring Cycle in Concert, conducted by Gianandreda Noseda with the Orchestra of the Zurich Opera; the New York Philharmonic’s presentation of Amadeus in Concert live score performance, conducted by David Newman; and the New York City Ballet’s signature production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Kent performs a series of organ recitals in September, including his annual program at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
One of America’s leading choral conductors as well as an acclaimed organ virtuoso, Kent Tritle is Director of Cathedral Music and Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine; Music Director of both Musica Sacra, New York’s elite professional chorus, and Oratorio Society of New York, the acclaimed avocational ensemble; and organist of the New York Philharmonic.
MUSICA SACRA
“SurRound: The Earth Remembers” – Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
This 2026 installment of Musica Sacra’s immersive SurRound events takes place in the gothic nave of the Cathedral, with singers in motion throughout the placement of the audience under Gaia, a massive orb 23 feet in diameter depicting the Earth using NASA imagery, revolving and illuminated from within. A touring artwork by U.K. artist Luke Jerram, Gaia is on display at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine from September 18 to October 9, part of the Cathedral’s commitment to St. Francis and his devotion to the earth.
The program focus on the natural world features music by Renaissance composers Jean Mouton and Juan Pérez Bocanegra and by modern composers including Meredith Monk, Robert Paterson, Einojuhani Rautavaara, Caroline Shaw, and Christine Whitten Thomas, to words ranging from poems by Rainer Maria Rilke to texts from the Quechuan and Navajo traditions – the complete program follows below.
“Classics for Christmas: A Ceremony of Carols” – Thursday, December 17, 2026, at Carnegie Hall
Musica Sacra’s annual holiday concert at Carnegie Hall this year is highlighted by Benjamin Britten’s eternal Christmas classic A Ceremony of Carols for chorus and harp, with guest harpist Mariko Anraku. The evening also features music for chorus and orchestra both classic (Sleigh Ride by Leopold Mozart, The King Shall Rejoice by Handel) and modern (works by Reena Esmail, Morton Lauridsen, and Wayne Oquin) – the complete program follows below. Maximillian Morel, Principal Trumpet of American Ballet Theater, and David Pushkoff, Principal Trumpet of New York City Ballet, are featured in the orchestra.
The Voices of Our Ancestors – Tuesday, April 20, 2027, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
The Voices of Our Ancestors is a 2014 work for narrator, chorus, brass, and organ by Thea Musgrave that sets the creation hymn from the Rigveda, an ancient Sanskrit verse dating in its written form from 1500-1200 B.C., and eleven other poems translated into English from almost as many languages. The Scottish-born Musgrave, who has lived in the U.S. since 1972, celebrates her centenary in 2028.
Poet and author David Mills will narrate the work, and his poetry will be featured in the course of the program. Mills’s first book, Boneyarn, about New York’s African Burial Ground, won the 2022 North American Poetry Award from the Poetry Society of Virginia.
The program begins with selections of medieval polyphony and works by Josquin des Prez and Adrian Willaert from the Medici Codex of 1518. (Within view of the audience is a tapestry created with artwork commissioned by Pope Leo X, who commissioned the Medici Codex as a wedding gift to his nephew.)
ORATORIO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
Fauré, Beethoven, Brahms & Barnes – Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at Carnegie Hall
Gabriel Fauré’s luminous and tender Requiem, an anchor of the choral repertoire, centers a program also featuring Beethoven’s Elegischer Gesang for chorus and string orchestra, Brahms’s Vier Gesänge for women’s chorus, horns, and harp, and Jasmine Barnes’s Portraits: Douglass and Tubman, a stirring choral-orchestral song cycle setting the words of two towering abolitionists. Zen Wu, soprano, and Jesse Blumberg, baritone, are soloists in the Fauré, and Richard Deane, Associate Principal Horn of the New York Philharmonic, joins for the Brahms and Fauré.
Handel’s Messiah – Monday, December 21, 2026, at Carnegie Hall
The OSNY’s 152nd annual performance of Messiah features the soloists Jennifer Zetlan, soprano; Daniel Moody, countertenor; Brian Giebler, tenor; and Jonathan Woody, bass-baritone.
Bach’s Mass in B Minor – Monday, May 3, 2026, at Carnegie Hall
This pillar of the Western canon closes the OSNY season, in a performance featuring soloists Elisse Albian, soprano; Lucia Bradford, mezzo-soprano; Maximillian Jansen, tenor; and Kevin Deas, bass-baritone.
CATHEDRAL OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE
“Joy of Christmas: Gloria in Excelsis!” – Friday and Saturday, December 11 & 12, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Vivaldi’s Gloria for chorus and orchestra, a holiday favorite, and Handel’s Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4, No. 4, with Daniel Ficarri as soloist, are the highlights of the Cathedral’s annual Christmas concert with the combined Cathedral Choirs, which also features selections by Franz Biebl, Reena Esmail, and Ondi Yohan Tambunan, and carols sung by all.
New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace – Thursday, December 31, 2026, the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Founded by Leonard Bernstein in 1984, the New Year’s Eve Concert for Peace ends one year and welcomes the new with music and a spirit of hope. Returning this year are Cathedral favorites Jason Robert Brown and Paul Winter, joining Cathedral artist-in-residence David Briggs along with the Cathedral Choir, in a program including Mozart’s Serenade in D Major and choral selections by Rich Campbell, Arvo Pärt, Caroline Shaw, and Joel Thompson. Longtime host Harry Smith presides.
Mozart Requiem & Pergolesi Stabat Mater – Saturday, March 13, 2027, at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Kent leads the Cathedral Choir and Chorale (professional and volunteer ensembles) in Mozart’s immortal Requiem on a program also including the Stabat Mater of Pergolesi, which features the Cathedral Choristers (children’s group), conducted by Cathedral Associate Director of Music Bryan Zaros. The program’s soloists are Susanna Phillips, soprano; Mary Beth Nelson Zaros, mezzo-soprano; Joshua Blue, tenor; and William Guanbo Su, bass.
ORGAN SEASON
Kent’s annual organ recital at St. John the Divine will be on the Cathedral’s digital organ as the Great Organ undergoes repair; it is a program of works by Rachel Laurin, Jeanne Demessieux, and César Franck on September 20. He also returns to perform on the organ of the Smithfield Church in Amenia, New York, on September 19, and is presented in recital by the University of Illinois at Carbondale on September 25 (full programs follow below).
As the organist of the New York Philharmonic, Kent will join the orchestra for performances of Handel’s Messiah, Janácek’s Taras Bulba, Strauss’s Also sprach Zarathustra, Bernstein’s Mass, and Amadeus in Concert.
KENT TRITLE is one of America’s leading choral conductors. Called “the brightest star in New York's choral music world” by The New York Times, he is Director of Cathedral Music and Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City; Music Director of Musica Sacra, New York’s elite professional chorus; and Music Director of the Oratorio Society of New York, the acclaimed avocational chorus. In addition, Kent is a member of the graduate faculty of The Juilliard School, serving its Vocal Arts Department. An acclaimed organ virtuoso, he is also the organist of the New York Philharmonic.
Kent Tritle’s discography of more than two dozen releases includes recordings on the Telarc, Naxos and MSR Classics labels. His most recent recordings were made live at Carnegie Hall, with works by Moravec/Campbell including the Grammy-nominated performance of Sanctuary Road with the Oratorio Society of New York. With Musica Sacra he has most recently recorded Eternal Reflections: Choral Music of Robert Paterson and Lauds by Laurence Bunin. He recorded Juraj Filas’ Requiem, Oratio Spei, with the Prague Symphony Orchestra and the Kühn Choir, and a host of recordings ranging from Gregorian chant to Schnittke’s Concerto for Choir with the Choir of St Ignatius Loyola. His discography also includes highly acclaimed organ recordings on the Gothic and Epiphany labels.
Kent Tritle is renowned as a master clinician, giving workshops on conducting and repertoire; recent years have included annual choral workshops at the Amherst Early Music Festival, workshops at Berkshire Choral International, Summer@Eastman and at the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki. As Director of Choral Activities at the Manhattan School of Music from 2008 to 2022, Kent established the school’s first doctoral program in choral conducting. A Juilliard School faculty member since 1996, he currently directs a graduate practicum on oratorio in collaboration with the school’s Vocal Arts Department.
As an organist, Kent has performed recitals at such historic venues as the Leipzig Gewandhaus, Zurich Tonhalle, and Church of St. Sulpice in Paris, King’s College (Cambridge), Westminster Abbey, and St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague.
Kent Tritle founded the Sacred Music in a Sacred Space concert series at New York’s Church of St. Ignatius Loyola, and led it to great acclaim from 1989 to 2011. From 1996 to 2004, he was Music Director of New York’s The Dessoff Choirs. Kent hosted “The Choral Mix with Kent Tritle” on New York’s WQXR, a weekly program devoted to the vibrant world of choral music, from 2010 to 2014. Among his recent honors are the 2020 Chorus America Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Professional Choral Art, the 2017 Distinguished Achievement Award from Career Bridges and the 2016 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service from the Manhattan School of Music. Kent is on the advisory boards of the Choral Composer/Conductor Collective (C4) and the Clarion Music Society. He was recently featured in the WIRED video series “Masterminds,” an installment titled, “What Conductors Are Really Doing.” In 2024, Kent was featured in two public television series: Confluence, about art, science, and creativity, in a segment about the pipe organ, and the All-Star Orchestra as the soloist in Saint-Saëns’ “Organ Symphony.”
Kent Tritle on Facebook: www.facebook.com/kenttritle
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KENT TRITLE 2026-27 SEASON
Saturday, September 19, 2026, at 3 pm
Smithfield Church, Amenia, NY
Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) Praeludium in E Major, Bux 141
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643) Toccata Quinta
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 647
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548
Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968) Ubi Caritas (Ricercare) from Twelve Choral Preludes on
Gregorian Chant Themes, Op. 8
Rachel Laurin (1961- 2023) Omaggio Festivo, Op. 89
Sunday, September 20, 2026, at 5 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY
Rachel Laurin (1961- 2023) Omaggio Festivo, Op. 89
Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968) Ubi Caritas (Ricercare) from Twelve Choral Preludes on
Gregorian Chant Themes, Op. 8
César Franck (1822-1890) Grand Piece Symphonique, Op. 117
Friday, September 25, 2026, at 7:30 pm
University of Illinois, Carbondale, IL
Dieterich Buxtehude (1637-1707) Praeludium in E Major, Bux 141
Girolamo Frescobaldi (1583-1643) Toccata Quinta
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten, BWV 647
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Prelude and Fugue in E minor, BWV 548
Rachel Laurin (1961- 2023) Omaggio Festivo, Op. 89
Jeanne Demessieux (1921-1968) Ubi Caritas (Ricercare) from Twelve Choral Preludes on
Gregorian Chant Themes, Op. 8
César Franck (1822-1890) Grand Piece Symphonique, Op. 117
Wednesday, October 7, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
“SURROUND: THE EARTH REMEMBERS”
Kent Tritle, conductor
This program will be performed under Gaia, a touring artwork by U.K. artist Luke Jerram.
Splendor & Interconnection
Gregg Smith (1931-2016) Now I Walk in Beauty
Meredith Monk (b. 1942) Astronaut Anthem
Jean Mouton (1459-1522) Sancti Dei omnes (From the Medici Codex of 1518)
Lament & Fracture
Robert Paterson (b. 1970) “Infinite Oceans” (from The Essence of Gravity)
Christina Whitten Thomas (b. 1979) “Prière de la Baleine” (“Prayer of the Whale”)
from Choral de Bêtes
Einojuhani Rautavaara (1928-2016) Die Erste Elegie (The First Elegy)
Reconciliation & Renewal
Frank Ticheli (b. 1958) Earth Song
Caroline Shaw (b. 1982) and the sparrow
Robert Paterson (b. 1970) “A Song on the End of the World” (from Eternal Reflections)
Christina Whitten Thomas (b. 1979) Take Peace
Juan Pérez Bocanegra (ca.1598-1631) Hanacpachap Cussicuinin
Tuesday, November 10, 2026, at 8 pm
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Kent Tritle, conductor
Zen Wu, soprano
Jesse Blumberg, baritone
Bridget Kibbey, harp
Richard Deane and Eric Reed, horns
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) Requiem
- v. Beethoven (1770-1827) Elegischer Gesang
Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) Vier Gesänge
Jasmine Barnes (b. 1991) Portraits: Douglass and Tubman
December 9, 10, 12, 13, 2026
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Jeannette Sorell, conductor
G.F. Handel (1685-1759) Messiah
Kent Tritle is the organist of the New York Philharmonic.
Friday, December 11, 2026, at 7 pm
Saturday, December 12, 2026, at 4 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY
THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS: GLORIA IN EXCELSIS!
Choirs and Orchestra of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine
Kent Tritle, conductor
Bryan Zaros, conductor
Daniel Ficarri, organ
Ondi Yohan Tambunan (b. 1990) Gloria
G.F. Handel (1685-1759) Organ Concerto in F Major, Op. 4, No. 4,
The Cuckoo and the Nightingale
Franz Biebl (1906-2001) Ave Maria
Reena Esmail (b. 1983) The Unexpected Early Hour (Raag Ahir Bhairav)
Antonio Vivaldi (1678-1741) Gloria in D Major, RV589
Christmas carols sung by all
Thursday, December 17, 2026, at 7:30 pm
Carnegie Hall
“CLASSICS FOR CHRISTMAS: A CEREMONY OF CAROLS”
Kent Tritle, conductor
Bryan Zaros, conductor
Mariko Anraku, harp
Maximillian Morel and David Pushkoff, trumpets
Benjamin Britten (1913-1976) A Ceremony of Carols
Francesco Onofrio Manfredini (1648-1762) Concerto for Two Trumpets in D
Morton Lauridsen (b. 1943) O Magnum Mysterium
Reena Esmail (b. 1983) “The unexpected early hour” from A Winter Breviary
Edward Elgar (1857-1934) The Snow
Leopold Mozart (1719-1787) Sleigh Ride (Schlittenfahrt)
Marcel Grandjany (1891-1975) Aria in Classic Style for harp and strings
Wayne Oquin (b. 1977) O Magnum Mysterium
G.F. Handel (1685-1759) The King Shall Rejoice
Monday, December 21, 2026, at 7 pm
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Kent Tritle, conductor
Jennifer Zetlan, soprano
Daniel Moody, countertenor
Brian Giebler, tenor
Jonathan Woody, bass-baritone
G.F. Handel (1685-1759) Messiah
Thursday, December 31, 2026, at 7 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY
NEW YEAR’S EVE CONCERT FOR PEACE
Cathedral Choir and Orchestra of St. John the Divine
Kent Tritle, conductor
David Briggs, organ
Jason Robert Brown, composer
Paul Winter, soprano saxophone
Harry Smith, host
Program to include:
W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) Serenade in D Major, KV 239
Joel Thompson (b. 1988) America Will Be!
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) Da pacem Domine
Rich Campbell (b. 1958) Border
Caroline Shaw (b.1982) and the swallow
Saturday, March 13, 2027, at 7 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY
MOZART REQUIEM & PERGOLESI STABAT MATER
Cathedral Choirs and Orchestra of St. John the Divine
Kent Tritle, conductor
Bryan Zaros, conductor*
Susanna Phillips, soprano
Mary Beth Nelson Zaros, mezzo-soprano
Joshua Blue, tenor
William Guanbo Su, bass
G.B. Pergolesi (1710-1736) Stabat Mater*
W.A. Mozart (1756-1791) Requiem
Tuesday, March 23, 2027, at 6 pm
Carnegie Hall
GÖTTERDÄMMERUNG – WAGNER’S RING CYCLE IN CONCERT
Orchestra of the Zurich Opera House
Gianandrea Noseda, Music Director and Conductor
Cast to include:
Klaus Florian Vogt, Siegfried
Daniel Schmutzhard, Gunther
Christopher Purves, Alberich
Mika Kares, Hagen
Camilla Nylund, Brünnhilde
Iulia Maria Dan, Gutrune
Agnieszka Rehlis, Waltraute
Musica Sacra
Kent Tritle, Director
Richard Wagner (1813-1883) Götterdämmerung
Tuesday, April 20, 2027, at 7:30 pm
Cathedral of St. John the Divine
THE VOICES OF OUR ANCESTORS
Musica Sacra Chorus
Musica Sacra Brass
Kent Tritle, conductor
Raymond Nagem, organ
David Mills, narrator
St. Martial, c. 1200 Victimae Paschali laudes
Worcester Fragments (c. 1300) Gloria-Spiritus procedens a Patre (arr. Denis Stevens)
From the Medici Codex of 1518 commissioned by Pope Leo X
Josquin des Prez (c.1450/55-1521) Inviolata et integra est
Adrian Willaert (c.1490-1562) Regina Caeli Laetare
David Mills will read excerpts from his poetry collection Boneyarn.
Thea Musgrave (b. 1928) The Voices of Our Ancestors
The Creation Hymn (Rigveda, c. 1500-1200 BC)
Time (Bhartrihari, c. 500 AD)
The Royal Crown (Solomon ibn Gabirol, 1021-1058)
From the Sacred Book (Zoroaster, 7th c. BC)
Inscription on the City of Brass (8th c. Arabic)
You will die (Shi King, compiled c. 500 BC)
The Gift of Speech (Sa’di, 1210-1292)
Dido’s Lament (Virgil, 70-19 BC)
The Desolate City (8th c. Arabic)
Age (Anacreon, 6th c. BC)
Let us drink (Alcaeus, 610 BC)
The Song of the Hunter (Egyptian Papyrus Harris,
c.1539-1075 BC)
April 22, 23, 24, 27, 2027
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Jakob Hruša, conductor
Program to include:
Leoš Janácek (1854-1928) Taras Bulba, Rhapsody for Orchestra
Kent Tritle is the organist of the New York Philharmonic.
Monday, May 3, 2027, at 7 pm
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
Kent Tritle, conductor
Elisse Albian, soprano
Lucia Bradford, mezzo-soprano
Maximillian Jansen, tenor
Kevin Deas, bass-baritone
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) Mass in B Minor
May 5, 6, 7, 2027
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Esa-Pekka Salonen, conductor
Program to include:
- Strauss (1864-1949) Also sprach Zarathustra
Kent Tritle is the organist of the New York Philharmonic.
May 25-30, 2027
David H. Koch Theater, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Musica Sacra, Kent Tritle, director, is featured in performances of Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
June 9, 10, 11, 12, 2027
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center, New York, NY
Gustavo Dudamel, conductor
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990) Mass
Kent Tritle is the organist of the New York Philharmonic.
June 24, 25, 27, 2027
David Geffen Hall, Lincoln Center
NEW YORK PHILHARMONIC
David Newman, conductor
Musica Sacra
Kent Tritle, director
Film and live score performance, part of The Art of the Score series
Kent Tritle is the organist of the New York Philharmonic.
August 4, 2026
FEATURED JOBS
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