Tenebrae presents a programme celebrating some of the finest exponents of American choral music. These works demonstrate the variety of choral composition taking place in America from the twentieth century onwards. The chamber version of Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms is only right to be the closing work in this programme, the full orchestral version of which Tenebrae is thrilled to be releasing on disc with the BBC Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Nigel Short, to mark Bernstein’s centenary anniversary in 2018.

This concert is part of St John’s Smith Square’s Americana ’18 series curated by David Wordsworth. The bewildering diversity of Bernstein’s activities as a pianist, conductor, composer, educator and humanitarian, serve as a reminder of the equally diverse influences that have inspired American composers over the last two hundred years or so. This series, and indeed Tenebrae’s programme, endeavours to highlight the wonderful breadth of this music. Bernstein is rightly celebrated, as are his influences, teachers, mentors and contemporaries.

Programme

Thompson Alleluia
Copland In the Beginning
Eric Whitacre I Thank You God
Bernstein Missa Brevis
-Interval-
Eric Whitacre Sleep
Stephen Paulus The Day is Done
Schoenberg Friede auf Erden
Bernstein Chichester Psalms (chamber version)

Artist Information

Tenebrae
Players of the Aurora Orchestra
David Allsopp countertenor
Martha McLorinan mezzo soprano
Nigel Short conductor

Artist(s)

Nigel Short, Tenebrae