CONCORA's 2019 - 2020 Season
Ivory, Wood & Steel
The theme for this year’s season was inspired by the title of one of Artistic Director Chris Shepard's favorite books, Jared Diamond’s immensely popular 1997 Guns, Germs & Steel. In his book, Diamond explored the ways in which the deployment of these three powerful elements allowed Eurasian culture and might to spread throughout the globe. In our six concerts this season, we look at how Ivory, Wood & Steel—materials fundamental to the production of so many different instruments—have inspired composers to write choral music with varied and fascinating accompaniments. The season spans three centuries, from Bach's Mass in B Minor to a new work commissioned by CONCORA from CONCORA singer Andrey Stolyarov.
ROSSINI, PETITE MESSE SOLENNELLE
Sunday, October 13, 2019 @ 4:00PM
South Congregational Church, 90 Main Street, New Britain, CT
Gioachino Rossini had given up writing operas for nearly thirty years by the time he wrote his Petite Messe Solennelle, which he called “the last of the sins of my old age.” Others have observed that, despite its title, this Mass setting is neither “small” nor particularly “solemn!” The scale is intimate though, as it was written for a choir of sixteen with a quartet of soloists. It is scored for piano and harmonium—a small home organ—the perfect accompaniment for this work that was designed to be performed in the home of the couple to whom the work was dedicated.
CONCORA ON BROADWAY: DUOS BY DUOS
Saturday, November 9, 2019 @ 7:30PM
Trinity-on-Main, 69 Main Street, New Britain, CT
Following the success of last year’s Broadway concert, we return to New Britain’s wonderful Trinity-on-Main to present another cabaret-style evening with Chris Shepard at the piano. We pay homage to the many wonderful composer-lyricist duos from the Broadway repertoire: giants like Rodgers & Hammerstein, Lerner & Loewe, Bock & Harnick, and others. We welcome back singers from the Bushnell’s Ensign-Darling high school vocal fellowship program, who will join us on the program. Wine, beer, and other refreshments will be available for purchase before, during and after the performance.
HANDEL, MESSIAH
Sunday, December 8, 2019 @ 4:00PM
St. James's Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT
CONCORA will be joined again this year by a professional chamber ensemble for a full performance of Handel’s perennial favorite—a new annual tradition that we hope will become an important part of your Christmas season. Soloists from the choir will perform the arias, showcasing the individual talents of a number of our wonderful singers.
CHORAL MUSIC OF MAURICE DURUFLÉ
Sunday, February 16, 2020 @ 4:00PM
Immanuel Congregational Church, 10 Woodland Street, Hartford, CT
It is a thrill to welcome CONCORA’s founding artistic director Richard Coffey back to the podium. Maestro Coffey has a special affinity for the music of Maurice Duruflé, in particular the centerpiece of this program—the Requiem. Accompanying the performance is local favorite, organist Larry Allen, who returns to Hartford for this concert.
J.S. BACH, MASS IN B MINOR, BWV232
Sunday, March 22, 2020 @ 4:00PM
St. James's Episcopal Church, 1018 Farmington Avenue, West Hartford, CT
One of the greatest artistic achievements in western art, the B Minor Mass surveys all of the musical forms known in the 18th century, from ancient Gregorian chant to the modern style galant of Bach’s sons. Accompanied by a professional chamber orchestra, CONCORA returns to this touchstone of the choral repertoire for the first time since Richard Coffey’s standing-room-only farewell performance—let’s pack the house this time as well!
IVORY, WOOD & STEEL: MUSIC FOR CHOIR & PERCUSSION
Sunday, April 26, 2020 @ 4:00PM
First Church of Christ, Congregational, 830 Corbin Avenue, New Britain, CT
The “building materials” of the season’s theme come together in this spectacular concert of modern works for choir with piano and percussion. We present a new work by CONCORA singer Andrey Stolyarov, who recently completed his doctorate in composition from the Hartt School. Another featured piece on the program is British composer Jonathan Dove’s Passing of the Year, a thrilling multi-movement work that combines a beautiful lyricism with the rhythmic drive of minimalism.