Rachmaninoff: All-Night Vigil, Op. 37
Sunday, November 11, 2018
Mission Church, Boston
Our performance of Rachmaninoff’s stunning setting of the Russian Orthodox All-Night Vigil (1915), widely regarded as his finest composition, is paired with the American premiere of a new work by Arvo Pärt.
All-Night Vigil, Op. 37 — Sergei Rachmaninoff (1873-1943)
Ja ma kuulsin hääle ... (And I heard a voice ...) — Arvo Pärt (1935-)
American Premiere
Holiday Concert
Saturday, December 15, 2018
Old South Church, Boston
Our annual holiday concert in Old South Church includes Britten’s ravishing Ceremony of Carols in the arrangement for full choir and harp. The concert also features a host of holiday favorites and may even feature an ugly sweater or two!
A Ceremony of Carols — Benjamin Britten
O come all ye faithful — Trad. (arr. David Willcocks)
Magnificat — Giles Swayne
Ave Maria — Franz Biebl
Still, still night — Jackson Berkey
Angel’s Carol — John Rutter
The first nowell — Trad. (arr. James O'Donnell)
Hark! The herald angels sing — Trad. (arr. David Willcocks)
Ding-dong merrily on high — Trad. (arr. Charles Wood)
Jingle bells — J. Pierpont (arr. Ralph Allwood)
Deck the Halls — Trad. (arr. John Rutter)
MacMillan: Seven Last Words from the Cross (1993)
Sunday, April 14, 2019
Mission Church, Boston
Hailed as one of the most dynamic and powerful religious pieces of modern times, BCE pairs MacMillan’s Seven Last Words with the famous setting of Psalm 51 (the Miserere) by Gregorio Allegri and Lotti’s Crucifixus.
Seven Last Words from the Cross — James MacMillan (1959-)
Miserere mei (Psalm 51) — Gregorio Allegri (1582-1652)
Original version, Area Premiere
Crucifixus — Antonio Lotti (1667-1740)
Talbot: Path of Miracles (2005)
Sunday, June 2, 2019
Mission Church, 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 (2005) — Joby Talbot (1971-)
1. Roncesvalles
2. Burgos
3. Leon
4. Santiago