Fall 2016: This Sceptered Isle

Laudamus is excited to present choral music from the British Isles on our autumn 2016 concert.

Throughout its history, the United Kingdom has been a major source of musical innovation drawing from its ancient and traditional folk music as well as instrumental music of England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. Laudamus will explore works from Great Britain’s cathedral tradition in works of Byrd, Purcell, Stanford, and Finzi, and new sacred music by James MacMillan.

The concert will also feature folk-tunes from England, Scotland, and Ireland along with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ tribute to Shakespeare (his quadracentennial year) in his exquisite masterpiece Serenade to Music.

This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle,
This earth of majesty, this seat of Mars,
This other Eden, demi-paradise,
This fortress built by Nature for herself
Against infection and the hand of war,
This happy breed of men, this little world,
This precious stone set in the silver sea,
Which serves it in the office of a wall
Or as a moat defensive to a house,
Against the envy of less happier lands,–
This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England.

“King Richard II”, Act 2 scene 1, John of Gaunt’s speech
William Shakespeare

Spring 2017: Dulcis Memoria

Join Laudamus for our spring 2017 concerts, music of Sweet Memories (Dulcis Memoria) featuring Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem.

While the Requiems of Verdi and Berlioz are spectacular works that address the topics of death, resurrection and final judgement in grand, theatrical tones, Mozart’s Requiem is poignant and refined. Fauré, by contrast, composed his Requiem as a hymn of solace and supplication – his is music to comfort mourners. Fauré’s Requiem beautifully fulfills his vision of an intimate and personal prayer of hope and consolation.

In addition to Faure’s Requiem, Laudamus presents music of hope in works by contemporary composers Thomas LaVoy (Alleluia), Eriks Esenvalds (O Salutaris Hostia and Who Can Sail Without the Wind), and the United States premier of Yehven Stankovich’s Alleluia.