The Los Angeles Master Chorale, one of the world’s preeminent professional choirs acclaimed for its profound versatility, opens its 48th season with an ethereal, mostly a cappella, musical exploration on Sunday, October 16, 2011, 7:00pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall.
Music Director Grant Gershon conducts five diverse pieces, among them the U.S. premiere of Swedish composer Thomas Jennefelt’s Music for a big church; for tranquility, a mesmerizing rhythmic wall of sound, and the hauntingly beautiful Lux Aeterna by former LA Master Chorale Composer-In-Residence Morten Lauridsen, which quickly became one of the world’s most popular choral works after its premiere by the Chorale in 1997.
Also featured are British composer Tarik O’Regan’s Tal vez tenemos tiempo and works by two LA-based composers, Eric Whitacre’s Her Sacred Spirit Soars and the bluegrass triptych Heavenly Home by the Chorale’s own Shawn Kirchner. The program features 115 singers as well as organist Paul Meier playing Disney Hall’s iconic pipe organ. The concert is part of Daniel Pearl World Music Days, using music to promote tolerance and humanity. A post-concert Gala in BP Hall, honoring LAMC Chairman Mark Foster and sponsored by BNY Mellon for the 19th consecutive year, caps the season opener.
“Sonically, this is a great season opener for the Chorale,†states Gershon. “It shows off the Chorale’s lush sound as well as the astounding acoustics of Disney Hall.â€
Jennefelt, a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and former chairman of the Society of Swedish Composers, notes that his piece, a textless soundscape of voices, was commissioned for the centenary celebration of Stockholm’s striking Johannes Church. “It was composed more than 20 years ago, at the beginning of my ‘quasi-minimalist’ writing for choir,†he says. “I am honored the Los Angeles Master Chorale is giving the official U.S. premiere.â€
Concert tickets range from $24 to $134. Student Rush seats are $10 and may be purchased at the box office two hours before the performance, if available. Gala reservations are $500. For tickets and information, please call (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org. (Tickets cannot be purchased at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office except on concert days starting two hours prior to the performance.) The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in downtown Los Angeles.
For concert tickets: $24 – $134; [student rush tickets: $10, may be purchased at box office two hours prior to performance, based on availability] and gala reservations: $500: www.lamc.org or 213-972-7282
