This concert will be a mix of some very familiar carols with traditional
holiday selections and at least one selection that may be new to your ears. The
centerpiece of the concert is American Composer Daniel Pinkham's "Christmas
Cantata" (Sinfonia Sacra) for Chorus and Double Brass Choir. Composed in an
early Baroque style, but used contemporary harmonies, it features outer
movements that are exciting and an inner movement that is very reflective. The
brass are used in various ways to support the choir, play antiphonally and as a
unit. This work balances very well with the early Baroque selection by Jan
Pieters Sweelinck "Hodie Christus Natus Est" which will be performed by five
part choir and brass quintet.
We are planning to give the regional premiere of Portland, Oregon composer
Bryan Johanson's "O Magnum Mysterium". This will feature the choir alone in a
selection that focuses on the "mystery" of this text. The brass will be
featured alone on a selection by Giovanni Gabrieli. Other selections include
"Silent Night", "The First Nowell",Biebl's "Ave Maria", "Verbum caro factum
est", "Jingle Bells" and we will conclude with our annual carol sing-along led
by the brass and choir together.
I look forward to seeing our family of friends again this season. Please
join us for this exciting combination of these two groups Madrigali et al. with
the Omaha Consort. We are so very excited to share with you that we are giving
the concert twice in one day.
Matt Harden
Director
Madrigali et al