Eric Whitacre: Little Tree Context Composed in 1996, Little Tree is a festive choral work by American composer, Eric Whitacre. The commission came from San Francisco Symphony Chorus conductor, Vance George, who was looking for a new work to perform at their annual Christmas Concert. George was looking for a Read more…
George Frideric Handel: O thou that tellest good tidings to Zion Messiah Part I Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Read more…
Carl Orff: O Fortuna Context Carl Heinrich Maria Orff was born in Munich on July 10th, 1895. After starting to study music at a young age, some of Orff’s music was published from when he was sixteen onwards. His early style was mainly focused on settings of German poetry, which likened Read more…
George Frideric Handel: And He Shall Purify Messiah Part I Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source Read more…
Anton Bruckner: Ecce sacerdos magnus Context Although largely remembered for his symphonic works, Anton Bruckner also composed a number of choral works and sacred motets. Ecce sacerdos magnus was composed in 1885 and is a musical setting of the antiphon of the same name. Translating to ‘Behold the Great Priest’, Read more…
George Frideric Handel: Thus Saith the Lord Messiah Part I Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Jennens, with the source Read more…
George Frideric Handel: And the Glory, the Glory of the Lord Messiah Part I Context George Frideric Handel’s Messiah has remained one of the composer’s most beloved works. Incredibly, Handel completed this 260-page oratorio in just 24 days during the summer of 1741. The scriptural text was compiled by Charles Read more…
Francesca Caccini: Lasciatemi Qui Solo Context Francesca Caccini was born in Florence in September 1587. Her parents were both musical, so she grew up in the artistic community of the Medici court – one of the most cultured in all of Europe. At a very young age Caccini, taught by Read more…
Arnold Schoenberg: Friede auf Erden Context Arnold Schoenberg composed Friede auf Erden in 1907, with the style reflecting his late Romantic influences. The work was premiered in 1911, after many cancellations from the choir as they struggled to get through it. Schoenberg was very aware of the troubles that choirs Read more…
Robert Nathaniel Dett: The Chariot Jubilee Context Robert Nathaniel Dett composed The Chariot Jubilee in 1919 after a commission came from Howard Lyman and the Syracuse University Chorus. The Chariot Jubilee is thought to be the first ever symphonic work based solely on Negro spirituals. After the premiere the orchestral Read more…