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Office of Communications |
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Office of Communications |
November 16 , 2009 |
Contact: Laura Hanna Director of Communications Office: (817) 531-5810 lhanna@txwes.edu |
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
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GREAT MUSIC COMING YOUR WAY November 17 7:30 p.m. Martin Hall Wesleyan Chorale The 80-voice Wesleyan Chorale, under the direction of Jerome M Bierschenk, will perform Robert Schumann’s Missa Sacra in C minor Op. 147 at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 17.
Schumann wrote the Mass in February and March 1852, directly before he wrote his Requiem, Op. 148. It is written for solo voices, choir and orchestra, although it was originally published and first performed with piano reduction. The choir will present this work in its original form, with piano reduction, played by Wesleyan faculty member Keith Critcher.
Parts of the mass were rehearsed with Schumann’s “Singekränzchen” for the first time on April 18, 1852. But his hopes of having it ready for performance in the early summer were dashed by his own ill health, and it was not until the beginning of the next year that he was able to conduct renewed rehearsals and perform the Kyrie and Gloria sections on March 3, 1853.
Schumann never lived to hear his completed work in it entirety. Even after his death in 1856, there were many obstacles which stood in the way of its widespread acceptance. Many believed it was simply much too romantic for a setting of the Mass, and was therefore inappropriate for such a liturgical work. Clara Schumann herself made efforts to dispel these reservations and doubts about the work, saying in a letter to Brahms dated July 1861, “You can’t imagine how beautiful it sounds. Certain lines in the Sanctus have such a wonderful effect that cold shivers run down your spine.”
This seldom-performed work will be presented at 7:30 pm in Martin Hall on the Historic Campus of Texas Wesleyan University. Admission is free to the public, but donations of canned goods will be accepted at the door in preparation for the upcoming Thanksgiving Holiday. These canned goods will be donated to the Tarrant Area Food Bank.
November 19, 2009 The Texas Wesleyan University Brass Department presents a program full of classical brass repertoire, plus a variety of modern and jazz arrangements. Individual solo pieces will be performed in addition to ensemble works. Dr. Bryan English (trombone) and Dr. Jerome M. Bierschenk (trumpet) are hosting the event, which will also include special guest musicians from Dallas/Fort Worth. Reception to follow. The Wesleyan production will feature multiple casting - nineteen singers in six roles – get ready for some fun! Don’t worry, we’ll provide the ‘map!’
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