Gotham Scholars
Gotham Scholars is New York City’s newest chamber choir. Founded in 2008, the 16-24 auditioned voices present classical choral masterworks and cutting edge contemporary compositions in historic venues on the upper west side of Manhattan. The ensembles acclaimed debut in November 2008 “Waging Peace” concert with works of Palestrina, John Tavaner’s Funeral Ikos, Eric Whitacre’s Cloudbursts, John Kander’s A Letter from Sullivan Ballou, and Jeffrey Van’s A Procession Winding Around Me. Founder and Artistic Director Mark Kaczmarczyk has been called a “polished and telling performer” by British Opera Magazine, and has conducted internationally acclaimed artists of our time, including counter tenor David Daniels, pianists Jonathan Biss, James Tocco, and the late Ruth Laredo in opera, oratorio and chamber music. The Scholars rehearse Monday evenings at Church of St. Paul the Apostle, 405 W 59th St. just west of Columbus Circle. The 2009-10 season includes performances of Rachmaninoff’s magnificent Vespers Nov. 13-14 2009 and “The Art of Healing” May 2010.
One of the great choral master works, Rachmaninoff composed his hauntingly beautiful Vespers in 1915 on the eve of the Russian Revolution. Seeing the catastrophe which was about to befall this country, Rachmaninoff’s concert setting draws on chants from the Russian Orthodox Liturgy, a glorious homage for eight part a cappella choir, sung in Russian, while transforming the traditional concepts of vocal music with forward looking impressionistic sounds and orchestral colors. This concert will last approximately one hour.
Performances:
Rachmaninoff Vespers, Op. 37 All Night Vigil.
Friday November 13th, 8 PM
St. Catherine of Siena Church
4 Riverside Ave, Riverside, CT
(pre performance discussion begins at 7:30 PM).
Tickets available at the parish offices, 4 Riverside Ave, Riverside CT.
Saturday, November 14th, 8PM
Church of the Blessed Sacrament
West 71st St. between Columbus Ave and Broadway, NYC
(pre performance discussion at 7:30 PM)
Tickets $20, $10 students.
