2013-2014 Season
raindrops, footsteps
Friday, November 22, 2013
Sunday, November 24, 2013
St. Paul Parish, Cambridge
Old South Church, Boston
The opening concerts of BCE's 2013-14 season celebrates the 100th anniversary of the birth of Benjamin Britten with his famous Hymn to St. Cecilia, one of the greatest choral works of the twentieth century. We celebrate the extraordinary choral music of Arvo Pärt with a number of works, including his popular Magnificat and we are honored to be giving the US premieres of two works he composed in 2012. Our program includes the world premiere of raindrops footsteps by Rita Ueda, winner of our 2013 competition for a new work.
Hymn to St. Cecilia, Op. 27 — Benjamin Britten
Bogoróditse Djévo —Arvo Pärt
Dopo la Vittoria —Arvo Pärt
Habitare fratres in unum —Arvo Pärt
US Premiere
Magnificat —Arvo Pärt
Solfeggio —Arvo Pärt
Virgencita — Arvo Pärt
US Premeire
raindrops footsteps — Rita Ueda
World Premiere, Winner of BCE’s 2013 commission competition
Choral Holiday
Saturday, December 14, 2013
Old South Church, Boston
For the fourth annual Choral Holiday, BCE updates the traditional Lessons and Carols service with repertoire both old and new, and carols for congregation accompanied on the church’s world-famous organ. Selected seasonal readings complement the holiday program
For unto us a child is born (from Messyah) — Paul Ayres
Area premiere
Still, still night — Jackson Berkey
A shepherd’s carol — Benjamin Britten
A Ceremony of Carols — Benjamin Britten
A Hymn to the Virgin — Benjamin Britten
Magnificat — Arvo Pärt
Jesus Christ the apple tree — Elizabeth Poston
Angels’ carol — John Rutter
There is a flower — John Rutter
The lamb — John Tavener
We wish you a merry Christmas — Arthur Warrell
Path of Miracles
Friday, March 28, 2014
Sunday, March 30, 2014
St. Paul Parish, Cambridge
Cathedral of the Holy Cross, Boston
Path of Miracles for a cappella choir is based on the great Pilgrimage to Santiago. The four movements are titled with the names of the four main staging posts of the “Camino Frances.” The libretto makes use of several languages and is written in seventeen separate vocal parts, with occasional crotales (small, pitched cymbals). It emphasizes both the physical and spiritual progress of the pilgrim, referring to the multitude of stories of saints, miracles, and traditions associated with the route. We invite modern pilgrims of all faiths to join us on this extraordinary journey.
Path of Miracles — Joby Talbot
1. Roncesvalles
2. Burgos
3. Leon
4. Santiago
Cosmic Journey
Friday, May 30, 2014
Sunday, June 1, 2014
Hayden Planetarium, Museum of Science, Boston
Cosmic Journey comprises a number of pieces related to the heavens and celestial bodies, ranging from Zvonimir Nagy's evocative Eternal peace to Trond Kverno's setting of the Ave Maris Stella. We are honored and delighted that these concerts will be held in the Hayden Planetarium in Boston's Science Museum and will include a spectacular visual depiction of the music.
Stars — Ēriks Ešenvalds
For the beauty of the earth — David Evans
Cosmic festival — Richard Felciano
The spheres — Ola Gjeilo
O Lord support us — Calvin Hampton
Lux Aeterna —György Ligeti
Eternal peace —Zvonimir Nagy
World premiere
Morning Star —Arvo Pärt
Bright morning star — arr. Fred Squatrito
We beheld once again the stars (Riveder le stella) — Randall Stroope
Look down, fair moon — Zachary Wadsworth
Winner of the 2008 BCE Commission Competition