Pipes and Voices

Pipes and Voices

The organ celebration continues with an entire program of works for organ and chorus. At the center of this program will be one of the great masterpieces for organ and chorus, Kodaly's Missa Brevis. Composed in Budapest during the darkest days of WWII, this mystical, deeply emotional piece exhibits a virtual symphony of colors and moods, from the thrilling exultation of the "Gloria" to the deep darkness of the "Crucifìxus", the mystical radiance of the "Sanctus", and finally the ultimate peace of the concluding measures of the "Agnus Dei".

We are delighted to collaborate again with the Elizabeth and Michel Sorel Charitable Organization Inc. in performing the winning pieces of their international competition for women composers. This year, in celebration of the new organ, the compositions will be written for organ and chorus. And we will be honored to hear the world premiere performance of Five Essences for solo organ composed by the brilliant young Chinese composer Chiayu, the 2008 winner of the Sorel Medallion.

As a special encore, the organist will pull out all the stops as we perform the grandest of all English cathedral anthems, Parry's I Was Glad.