WHY WE SING June 4, 2016 Mary Jane Matecki We open our Fiftieth Anniversary Concert with How Can I Keep From Singing?, which is based on a Quaker hymn arranged by Gwyneth Walker. Ms. Walker states “The hymn dates back to the 1800’s in the United States. References to the persecution of Friends (Quakers) may… Continue reading Program Notes for concert “Why We Sing” June 4, 2016
Program Notes
Something Old, Something New Program Notes 4/9/16
Something Old, Something New April 9, 2016 Program Notes Compiled by Mary Jane Matecki Edited by Alan Wellman Franz Joseph Haydn (1732-1809) was the principal architect of the classical style of music. Haydn’s most celebrated pupil was Ludwig van Beethoven, and his musical influence on composers such as Schubert, Mendelssohn, Mozart and Brahms is immense.… Continue reading Something Old, Something New Program Notes 4/9/16
Program Notes for Annelies by the composer – April, 2015
Annelies Notes by the composer “If Anne could be with us tonight, I know she would shed tears of joy and pride, and she would be so happy – happy the way I remember when I saw her last.” These words were spoken by Bernd Elias, Anne Frank’s first cousin, before the first performance of… Continue reading Program Notes for Annelies by the composer – April, 2015
Program Notes on Stanford, Elgar, Parry, Vaughan Williams, Howells and Britten, May, 2014
Northwest Choral Society Crowning Jewels Program Notes May 2014 Compiled by Mary Jane Matecki & Alan Wellman Sir Charles V. Stanford (1852-1924), like his contemporary Hubert Parry, produced many works for chorus and orchestra for provincial (town) festivals. However, he is best known for his Anglican liturgical music, and for the symphonic and cyclic dimensions… Continue reading Program Notes on Stanford, Elgar, Parry, Vaughan Williams, Howells and Britten, May, 2014
Messiah Program Notes, December, 2012
Handel’s Messiah Program Notes 12/1/12 Mary Jane Matecki & Alan Wellman In the summer of 1741 George Frederic Handel (1685-1759) received a large manuscript from Charles Jennens (1700-1773), one of the composer’s often used librettists. The manuscript contained Biblical verses that Mr. Jennens convinced Handel were worthy of musical elaboration. The result was Messiah, the… Continue reading Messiah Program Notes, December, 2012
The Many Moods of Christmas Program Notes, December, 2014
The Many Moods of Christmas Program Notes Mary Jane Matecki 2014 Daniel Pinkham, (b. June1923, d. September 2006) studied piano as a young boy and started writing his own music at age six. He became one of the most versatile American composers although less well known among the public, perhaps because he spent his whole… Continue reading The Many Moods of Christmas Program Notes, December, 2014
Crowning Jewels: Music of Britain’s Choral Revival & Program Notes, May, 2014
Northwest Choral Society will present masterpieces from the choral repertoire of Sir Charles Villers Stanford’s Three Latin Motets, op. 38, Ralph Vaughan Williams’ O Clap your Hands, Herbert Howells’ A Hymn for St. Cecilia and Benjamin Britten’s Rejoice in the Lamb. The concert will celebrate the revival of late19th century choral music in England. Artistic… Continue reading Crowning Jewels: Music of Britain’s Choral Revival & Program Notes, May, 2014