Bold and vibrant. Comforting and thrilling. “Perspectives,” the 48th season for Chorus Austin ensembles, offers programs that reflect a multitude of choral landscapes.
“This season, our year of “Perspectives” explores the emotional depths and heights of choral works from master composers such as Rachmaninoff, Vivaldi, Brahms and Beethoven,” said Ryan Heller, Chorus Austin artistic director and conductor. “Woven together with these greats are rarely heard jewels that offer audiences the opportunity to experience live performances of pieces by Schütz, Herzogenberg, Saint-Saëns and beloved contemporary Estonian composer Veljo Tormis.
“This is a time to explore both the grand and the intimate together,” Heller said. “We look forward to continuing to serve our community through performances of great choral/vocal music. This is truly a season not to be missed.”
The 2012-2013 season opens Oct. 20-21 with performances of Rachmaninoff’s haunting All-Night Vigil, sung a cappella in Russian by Chorus Austin’s 120-voice symphonic ensemble, Austin Civic Chorus.
Chorus Austin’s 32-voice chamber group, the Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble, follows with its Nov. 17-18 program “Voices of Light.” The fall concert, set between Veterans Day and Thanksgiving, offers an opportunity for reflection and gratitude. The program includes Brahms’ dramatic and moving motet Warum ist das Licht gegeben?, Die Nacht by Herzogenberg, Thomas Tallis’ O Nata Lux, Charles Wood’s Hail, Gladdening Light for double choir and selections from Tormis’ evocative Autumn Landscapes.
December features audience favorites Sing-It-Yourself Messiah on Dec. 8 and “On a Winter’s Eve” Dec. 22.
Spring offers “Passions” by the Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble April 13-14, 2013, featuring Schütz’ rarely performed St. John Passion. The 2012-2013 season finale May 19-20, 2013, features Austin Civic Chorus in a trio of masterworks: Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody and Schicksalslied with orchestra and soloists.
The complete information for the 48th Chorus Austin “Perspectives” season includes:
Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, Austin Civic Chorus
8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 20, 2012, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759
4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 21, 2012, St. Martin’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, 606 W. 15th St., Austin, TX 78705
Voices of Light, Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble
Featuring Brahms’ Warum ist das Licht gegeben?, Herzogenberg’s Die Nacht, Saint-Saens’ Calme des Nuit, Thomas Tallis’ O Nata Lux, Charles Wood’s Hail, Gladdening Light for double choir and Tormis’ Autumn Landscapes.
8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 17, 2012, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759
4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 18, 2012, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River St., Austin, TX 78705
The 23rd Annual “Sing-It-Yourself Messiah,” Austin Civic Chorus
Featuring chorus, soloists and audience singing from Handel’s Messiah.
3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 8, 2012, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759
On a Winter’s Eve, Chorus Austin ensembles
Featuring holiday songs and audience sing-along with orchestra and soloists.
7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 22, 2012, Northwest Hills United Methodist Church, 7050 Village Center Dr., Austin, TX 78731
Passion, Austin Vocal Arts Ensemble
Featuring the rarely performed Heinrich Schütz’ St. John Passion.
8 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2013, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 3501 Red River St., Austin, TX 78705
4 p.m. Sunday, April 14, 2013, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759
Brahms and Beethoven, Austin Civic Chorus
Featuring Brahms’ Alto Rhapsody , Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy , and Brahms’ Schicksalslied
8 p.m. Saturday, May 18, 2013, Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Ln., Austin, TX 78749
4 p.m. Sunday, May 19, 2013, St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church, 8134 Mesa Dr., Austin, TX 78759.
Season tickets for five regular season performances are $90 general admission and $67.50 for seniors and students. A flex series featuring a choice of three concerts is available for $54 general admission and $40.50 for seniors and students. Tickets to the chorus’s “Sing-It-Yourself Messiah” may be added for $13.50.
Tickets for individual performances are $20 general admission and $15 for seniors and students. All single tickets for “Sing-It-Yourself Messiah” are $15.
Information and season tickets are available online at chorusaustin.org/shop/2012-2013-chorus-austin-season-subscriptions/ or by contacting the business office at (512) 719-3300.