The Shrewsbury Chorale will present the first concert of the 2000-01 season, under the baton of Stephen Michael Smith on Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, 118 W. Main Street, Freehold.
The concert, "Moments of Wonder," will feature settings of the Magnificat text by Johann Pachelbel and Franz Schubert, the Pachelbel Canon in D for strings, as well as works of the season by Poulenc, Messiaen, Tavener and holiday carols both familiar and new.
Johann Pachelbel wrote numerous settings of the Magnificat text, the Hymn of Praise sung by Mary when she was told she would bear the child of God, and his settings in the keys of C and D have been previously published and recorded and are well-known.
The chorale will perform his setting in G, edited by Walter Rodby and first published only about 10 years ago, after the manuscript was found in the East German State Library. Subtitled, "In Nomine Jesu," the work will be performed with double trumpet obligato, orchestra and organ.
Franz Schubert’s setting of Magnificat in C was composed during the fall of 1816 when he was only 19. The work demonstrates Schubert’s mastery of the Baroque-Classical traditions found in Mozart and Haydn, but the listener hears pivotal harmonic changes which will eventually be associated with his later works, according to a press release.
Representing some of the best of 20th century composers’ contributions to music of the season will be Francis Poulenc’s "Quem vidisti pastores dicite," directed by guest conductor, Clair Maxwell, Oliver Messiaen’s "O sacrum convivium!" and John Tavener’s "The Lamb."
Other carols of the season will include "Joy to the World," German carol "Still, Still, Still," French carol "Ding Dong! Merrily on high," and Malcolm Williamson’s "This Christmas Night." And, perhaps not as familiar, carols of Jeffrey Van, "O Be Joyful" and "El Rorro (The Babe)," accompanied by guitar and Peter Warlock’s "Bethlehem Down," "I Saw a Fair Maiden" and "Lullaby My Jesus."
Ticket prices at the door on the day of the concert are $20 general admission, $17 senior/student and $8 for children age 12 and under. Advance sale tickets are discounted, $18 general admission; $15 senior/student and $6 for children age 12 and under; and must be purchased a minimum of two days prior to the concert. Group rates are also available. For ticket information, call (732) 542-2151.
The Shrewsbury Chorale will debut at Carnegie Hall, when it will augment the New York Grand Opera soloists, chorus and orchestra, conducted by Maestro Vincent La Selva, in a presentation of Verdi’s Requiem on Jan. 27 at 8:30 p.m. For tickets, call CarnegieCharge at (212) 247-7800.