Here's something you might be interested in.
Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity has long been a favorite piece of Christmas music. However, it has long been overshadowed by Handel’s Christmas oratorio thingy--you know what I’m talking about.
On Sunday December 16th there is an excellent opportunity to hear Respighi’s masterpiece. Yes, I said it, masterpiece.
Why is this an excellent opportunity? It is excellent because the performance is by Musica Vitale.
Musica Vitale was founded in 2005 by Elena Vizuet and has been giving top shelf performances ever since. Respighi’s music is complex and challenging on every level and Musica Vitale is a professional level group.
I asked Elena what her take on Laud was.
“What I love about Lauda is its fluid, spontaneous and fast changing musical elements. Respighi closely follows and illustrates the story of the nativity.”
“The fabric of this work is like a quilt which contains numerous episodes of different style, texture and color. The composer blends luscious romantic harmonies, church modes, elements of Gregorian chant and madrigals-like segments into exciting musical episodes.”
“The choral writing is demanding and varies from unison to 7 part divisi. The finale of the cantata is absolutely thrilling and is one of the most challenging in all of choral literature. I really cannot point to a single episode that I like more than others.”
“Angelo, Maria and Pastore solos, larger than life choral writing, beautiful in its simplicity central episode of the work with men's a cappella choir-it's all part of a beautiful timeless Christmas story that Respighi tells us in music.”
The performance is December 16th at 4:00 pm at All Souls Episcopal in Point Loma.
Flyer: http://www.musicavitale.com/flyers/Laudflyer.jpg
Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity has long been a favorite piece of Christmas music. However, it has long been overshadowed by Handel’s Christmas oratorio thingy--you know what I’m talking about.
On Sunday December 16th there is an excellent opportunity to hear Respighi’s masterpiece. Yes, I said it, masterpiece.
Why is this an excellent opportunity? It is excellent because the performance is by Musica Vitale.
Musica Vitale was founded in 2005 by Elena Vizuet and has been giving top shelf performances ever since. Respighi’s music is complex and challenging on every level and Musica Vitale is a professional level group.
I asked Elena what her take on Laud was.
“What I love about Lauda is its fluid, spontaneous and fast changing musical elements. Respighi closely follows and illustrates the story of the nativity.”
“The fabric of this work is like a quilt which contains numerous episodes of different style, texture and color. The composer blends luscious romantic harmonies, church modes, elements of Gregorian chant and madrigals-like segments into exciting musical episodes.”
“The choral writing is demanding and varies from unison to 7 part divisi. The finale of the cantata is absolutely thrilling and is one of the most challenging in all of choral literature. I really cannot point to a single episode that I like more than others.”
“Angelo, Maria and Pastore solos, larger than life choral writing, beautiful in its simplicity central episode of the work with men's a cappella choir-it's all part of a beautiful timeless Christmas story that Respighi tells us in music.”
The performance is December 16th at 4:00 pm at All Souls Episcopal in Point Loma.
Flyer: http://www.musicavitale.com/flyers/Laudflyer.jpg