Choral Arts Society May 22 concert features composers who look back for inspiration

May 21, 2010
by Martha Lynne Kenerson

This Saturday, May 22, at 8:00 p.m. at the Scarborough Presbyterian Church in Briarcliff Manor, the Choral Arts Society will be performing its Spring Concert titled “In Hindsight.”

Works will range from the more traditional – Bach (B Minor Mass excerpts), Brahms (O Heiland Reiss), Charpentier (Messe de Minuit pour Noel excerpts) and Rachmaninoff (Bogoroditze Devo) to the more modern, including Copland’s Old American Songs and two pieces by Howard Hanson.

This joyful and eclectic concert will explore how each generation of composers has looked back to the past for inspiration. Using older styles, themes, hymns and melodies, each composer on the program has taken something old to create something new and beautiful. For example, Charpentier’s Messe de Minuit pour Noel is based on Medieval French Christmas carols. Similarly, Copland’s Old American Songs are based on many sources including ballads, a children’s song, a revivalist song, a lullaby and a Shaker song. As nature reminds us each spring, the music reaffirms the old adage that “everything old can be new again.”

“One of the reasons I like to sing with the Choral Arts Society is that the music chosen for each concert stretches us as singers – whether it is the language, the rhythms, the fast tempo, or the difficulty of the notes,” explained Barbara Dana, a soprano.

“Michael [Conley, Music Director] is very creative and always puts together a program that is educational as well as beautiful,” Janet Gold, an alto, added. “I also like the group’s motto: ‘Music you won’t hear everywhere else.’”

To purchase tickets, visit choralartssociety.org or call 914 462-3212. General admission, $25; students and seniors, $20. Tickets may also be purchased at the door. The Scarborough Presbyterian Church is located at 655 Scarborough Road & Route 9,  Scarborough, NY 10510.

Martha Lynne Kenerson has lived in Chappaqua for nearly 12 years. She has been a member of the Choral Arts Society for 11 years and is currently its president.