UTAH CHAMBER ARTISTS presents “Psalms & Symphonies” (SLC: Feb 27)

Contact: Becky Durham

tobcd@aol.com or info@utahchamberartists.org

801.572.2010

utahchamberartists.org

PHOTOS ATTACHED

For immediate release

January 31, 2012

UTAH CHAMBER ARTISTS

& Artistic Director Barlow Bradford

present

“Psalms & Symphonies”

Stravinsky’s monumental work and other Psalm Settings are featured

Soloist, Organist Douglas O’Neill

Salt Lake City -  On Monday February 27, 2012, Utah Chamber Artists proudly presents one of Igor Stravinsky’s most respected works, Symphony of Psalms. The concert, that takes place at Libby Gardner Concert Hall at 7:30 PM, focuses on various choral settings from the Bible’s “Book of Psalms”.

The Psalms have been a rich resource for composers for centuries and during the first half of the program the Utah Chamber Artists choir will explore musical interpretations of these sacred texts. Composers Purcell, Rachmaninov, and Chesnokov, who chose to set writings for a cappella choirs, are featured. In addition organist Douglas O’Neill will accompany the choir in works by John Rutter and Howard Hanson. Mr. O’Neill will also consider the “symphony” as he performs solo selections from Widor’s 5^th “Organ Symphony.”

The concert will conclude the evening with the Stravinsky work. The orchestra and University of Utah Singers will join the UCA choir to perform what TIME magazine named the best piece of the 20^th century.   Artistic Director Barlow Bradford concurs.  “I think the Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms is one of the great choral works of the twentieth century. We are looking forward to exploring this great work of art and presenting it to our audiences”.  The instrumentation for the three-movement work is non-traditional instrumentation with a major emphasis on winds, brass and percussion. Noticeably absent are violins, violas, and clarinets. The colors and timbres of this orchestration - combined with the chorus – have been described as “austere”, and “archaic”.  “Stravinsky seeks to create transcendent ritual rather than a sentimental emotive experience.” *  We are also pleased to feature pianists Vedrana Subotic and Jason Hardink as part of the ensemble.

Tickets are available online at kingtix.org, on the phone at 801.581.7100 and will be available at the door.  Tickets purchased before February 21^st are $15.00 and $10.00. Thereafter they are $17.50 and $12.00. Service charges apply. A shuttle will run from the Rice-Eccles Stadium to the Libby Gardner Concert Hall.

* Program notes by Patrick Gardner, March 1, 2003 Riverside Choral Society

Psalms & Symphonies complete program:

Hear My Prayer O Lord Psalm 102 - Henry Purcell 

O Be Joyful Psalm 100 - John Rutter 

Out of the Deep Psalm 130  - John Rutter 

Cello: John Eckstein

Toccata

from Symphony for Organ No. 5 in F minor, Op. 42, No. 1

We Hymn Thee - Sergei Rachmaninov 

We Hymn Thee -  Pavel Chesnokov

Organ Solo - TBA

The Lord is my Shepherd  Psalm 23 - Thomas Matthews

150^th Psalm - Howard Hanson

INTERMISSION

Symphony of Psalms - Igor Stravinsky

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