"A Time of Mystery," Concert 3 of 62nd Season

In its upcoming concert, the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus will eschew the commercialism of the season.  “A Time of Mystery” will instead present choral music written to explore the mystery surrounding Christ's birth. 

The concert will feature the mass “O Magnum Mysterium,” by Italian composer Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina.  Interwoven among the movements of Palestrina's work will be contrasting versions of the same words by a diverse group of composers, including Francis Poulenc, Raquel Cristóbal, Morten Lauridsen and Judith Bingham.  The Chamber Chorus's performance of Bingham's work will mark its United States premiere. 
 
The concert's venue is an appropriate one, in that St. Charles Borromeo not only professed his faith in 16th century Rome but championed the music of that city's greatest composer, Palestrina.  This will be the first time the Chorus has performed at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.  

Concertgoers will also hear two pieces written for the Chamber Chorus and employing “double choirs.”    Bob Chilcott's “Before The Ice” premiered at an earlier concert and incorporates a poem by Emily Dickinson with the “Magnum Mysterium” prayer.  Finally, the Chorus will present the world premiere of German composer Wolfram Buchenberg's “Dum Medium Silentium.”

Join the Saint Louis Chamber Chorus as it explores “A Time of Mystery,” Sunday, December 17 at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church.  Parking is free.  For more information about the concert, and tickets, call 314-566-8067.