At first glance a concert titled “Mendelssohn & … Minnesota” might seem a bit odd. But that’s what the Utah Chamber Artists’ next concert is all about. And artistic director Barlow Bradford feels mingling music by the great German composer Mendelssohn with recent works by three Minnesota natives will make for an interesting evening of choral music.
“When you’re in programming mode you come up with different ideas,” Bradford told Reichel Recommends. “There are so many wonderful choral composers in Minnesota, I thought their music would stand well next to some standard works.”
Barlow Bradford
Bradford added that the state is often referred to as the “Land of a Thousand Choirs” thanks to a strong choral tradition fostered by the Lutheran Church.
Among the three composers from Minnesota whose music will be sung at Monday’s concert is Stephen Paulus, who is certainly no stranger to Utah audiences. His music has been performed at the Madeleine Festival of the Arts and a few years ago he wrote a piece for the Utah Chamber Artists. For this concert Bradford’s group will do the Pilgrims’ Hymn from the opera The Three Hermits, the work that was performed at the Madeleine Festival in 2002.
Timothy Takach is one of the other Minnesota composers. UCA will sing his “As the Sunflower Turns on Her God.” “He’s an interesting composer and this is a fun and beautiful piece,” Bradford said.
The third composer is Abbie Betinis, who comes from a long line of composers. Her music was featured prominently at UCA’s Christmas concert. On Monday, the choir will sing “Envoi” from Songs of Smaller Creatures. “Abbie’s is bright piece,” Bradford said. “It’s fun and inventive and brings flight to mind in its effects.”
Moving over to the Mendelssohn side of the title, Bradford said they will perform two psalm settings: Psalm 115, Non nobis, Domine, op. 31; and Psalm 114, Da Israel aus Ägypten zog, op. 51.
Bradford said the two settings are clearly influenced by Bach. “I’d say it’s singable Bach,” he joked.
Psalm 115 is a fairly early work that also includes solos. Singing the solo parts are soprano Melissa Dawson, tenor Brian Stucki, and baritone Michael Chipman.
The later Psalm 114 is more ambitious. “It’s scored for double choir,” Bradford said. The University of Utah Chamber Choir will join forces with UCA for this piece.
“Between these two works you can see how Mendelssohn emerges as a composer. In Psalm 115 his choral writing is flawless.”
Both works will receive their UCA premieres at Monday’s concert, and Bradford said that Mendelssohn’s choral music has never really caught on with American audiences. “It’s much more popular in Europe.”
Bradford is looking forward to conducting both works. “I’m a real fan of his choral writing, and these are beautiful works. What I like is that Mendelssohn never overstates things.”
Rounding out the concert will be one of Mendelssohn’s most popular orchestral pieces, the Hebrides overture. “This will be a nice piece to go with the others. It’ll be a nice refresher.”
- CONCERT DETAILS
- What: Utah Chamber Artists, Barlow Bradford, conductor
- Venue: Libby Gardner Concert Hall
- Time and Date: 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25
- Tickets: $15 general, $10 students ($17.50 general, $12 students if purchased on day of concert)
- Phone: 801-581-7100
- Web: www.kingtix.com