Classical Music | Works by Tchaikovsky, Bernstein, Mendelssohn and more

Duxbury High School Chamber Singers and Wind Ensemble; Robert Judge, Ric Madru, and Jill Noerenberg, directors; Jacob Clapper, accompanist

Program
Mendelssohn (1809-1847) Richte mich, Gott, Op. 78, No. 2 (1843)
Andrew Rindfleisch (b. 1963) Anthem (2009)
Bernstein (1918-1990) Chichester Psalms (1965)
Holst (1874-1934) Jig from St. Paul's Suite (1913)
Bernstein (1918-1990) West Side Story Suite (1957)
Tchaikovsky (1840-1893) Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo from Serenade for Strings (1880)
Geminiani(1687- 1762) La Follia Variations (1729)
Bernstein (1918-1990) Candide Suite (1989)
Percy Grainger(1882-1961) Shepherd's Hey (1909)
Johan De Meij (b. 1953) Hobbits from Symphony No. 1, The Lord of the Rings (1988)
Jayce Ogren (b.1979) Symphonies of Gaia (2001)
Hanssen (1874-1967) Valdresmarsjen (1904)
Rossano Galante (b.1967) Cadence Everlasting (World Premiere)

About the Program
Mendelssohn is among the most popular composers of the Romantic era. He wrote symphonies, concertos, oratorios, piano music and chamber music. His best-known works include his Overture and incidental music for A Midsummer Night's Dream, The Italian Symphony. He also set a handful of psalms. Richte mich Gott (Judge me, o God) is one of his three German-language psalms.

Andrew Rindfleisch’s Anthem sets Psalm 130, but as a gentle blur, woven from back-and-forth two-note figures, rocked in the cradle of the deep. Boston Music Intelligencer described it as "…shimmering, sustained Debussy-like harmonies".

Chichester Psalms was Bernstein's first composition after his 1963 Third Symphony (Kaddish). They are his two most overtly Jewish works. While both works have a chorus singing texts in Hebrew, the Kaddish Symphony has been described as a work often at the edge of despair, while Chichester Psalms is affirmative and at times serene.

Bernstein's West Side Story was choreographed by Jerome Robbins. It was inspired by William Shakespeare's play Romeo and Juliet.

Composer Gustav Holst was appointed Musical Director at St. Paul's Girls' School, Hammersmith, his biggest teaching post and one which he greatly enjoyed, remaining there until his death. This was where he wrote nearly all of his music including the St. Paul's Suite. The first movement begins with a robust "Jig". Holst introduces a contrasting theme, then skillfully develops and blends the two themes.

Tchaikovsky's Serenade for Strings has 4 movements. He intended the first movement, Pezzo in forma di sonatina: Andante non troppo, to be an imitation of Mozart's style, and it was based on the form of the classical sonatina, with a slow introduction. Tchaikovsky wrote, "The larger number of players in the string orchestra, the more this shall be in accordance with the author's wishes."

"Symphony No. 1 The Lord of the Rings" is the first symphony written by Johan de Meij. The symphony is based on literary themes from the novel by J.R.R. Tolkien.

Johannes Hanssen was a Norwegian bandmaster, composer, and teacher. His most famous composition is his Valdresmarsjen, a march celebrating the beautiful Valdres region in Norway that lies between Oslo and Bergen. The melody of the trio is based on the traditional Norwegian folk music.

About the Performers
Duxbury High School Chamber Singers is a select advanced choral ensemble comprised of students from 9-12th grade. The Chamber Singers have performed throughout the United States in venues such as Carnegie Hall, Strathmore Hall in Maryland, Jordan Hall in Boston, and Walt Disney World in Florida.

Conductor Robert Judge has led the Duxbury High School Chamber Singers in performance at Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts; Strathmore Hall in Bethesda, Maryland; Carnegie Hall in New York City; and Disney World in Orlando, Florida.

Conductor Jill Noerenberg has been a band director for the Duxbury Public Schools for the past 19 years. She has conducted the Massachusetts Northeast, Southeastern, Eastern, and Western Junior District Bands. She also conducted the Rhode Island All-State Symphonic Band and more.