Cantabile Presents: Something Known and Something New

This concert pays tribute to the rich heritage of choral music, shining a spotlight on both well-known and lesser-known compositions that deserve recognition. Pieces are thoughtfully paired through shared text or historical periods, demonstrating how different composers can create uniquely beautiful works and yet share common ground. Embark with us on an enchanting journey in which you will experience both time-honored and contemporary choral compositions.

Program highlights:

* The first lens focuses on composers from the same era. This is illustrated by the pairing of JS Bach’s “Jesu, Bleibet Meine Freude” and Isabella Leonarda’s “Domine ad Adiuvandum.” In this pairing, Bach represents a cornerstone of the classical music canon, while Leonarda introduces a newly-discovered woman composer from the 17th century.
* The second lens highlights the text of the compositions. One example is the pairing of Franz Schubert’s “Gott Ist Mein Hirt” (The Lord is my shepherd) written in 1820 and Bobby McFerrin’s 1990 rendition of the 23rd Psalm. This pairing juxtaposes the tonal language and textural treatment, as well as the language itself, creating a striking contrast.
* The final lens pairs “chestnuts” from Cantabile’s library with contemporary pieces. An example of this is the pairing of James Mulholland’s “A Red, Red Rose” with Sleeping at Last’s 2014 composition “North.”
* Cantabile consistently collaborates with local musicians, and this concert will include the participation of the collaborative pianist and two violinists.