Choral masterwork 'Stabat Mater' captures agony of Blessed Mother
New Jersey Premiere
July 29, 2019 at 12:37 p.m.
Choral masterwork 'Stabat Mater' captures agony of Blessed Mother
Lois Rogers
This version of the classic retelling of the agonizing journey of the Blessed Mother as she follows the passion and death of her son, marks the New Jersey premiere of the work by acclaimed Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
Composed in 2008, Jenkins’ “Stabat Mater” is considered unique among different versions of the work in that it combines text in English, Latin, Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic – the common language of Christ’s time in the Middle East and musical modes from the Middle East.
The 12 movements of the piece are based on the 13th century poem ‘Stabat Mater dolorosa’ (the sorrowful mother was standing) which has been set to music by such composers as Poulenc, Haydn, Dvorak, Vivaldi, Verdi and others.
Listeners will get to experience the masterwork in a dynamic concert featuring nearly 100 performers and a full orchestra.
Collaborating with the Capital Singers, will be the Trenton Community Singers and the West Windsor Sinfonietta Nova.
Richard M. Loatman, artistic director and conductor of the Capital Singers and the Trenton Community Singers, and Gail H. Lee, artistic director and conductor of Sinfonietta Nova expect listeners to be captivated by the performance.
“This work is one of the most interesting and compelling that I have conducted,” Loatman said. “Jenkins combines so many different styles and traditions of music that audiences can connect with. It hooks you like one of those magnificent scores to a great Hollywood movie.”
Lee added: “I love how Jenkins paints the picture of this music – the brush, the stroke and the mediums he employs gives listeners a vivid portrait of the poem he used.
I was struck by the emotions this piece evoked in me. I’m certain the audience will find it exotic, refreshing and spiritual.”
Now celebrating their fifth anniversary season, the Capital Singers of Trenton, with the Trenton Community Singers, have become a choral mainstay in central Jersey. Their vast repertoire of sacred and secular music includes classics, spirituals and standards.
Most recently, the choristers performed a patriotic concert for Veterans’ Day in St. Paul Church, Princeton.
Serving as goodwill ambassadors for the city of Trenton, the choristers promote the art of choral singing throughout New Jersey.
Sinfonietta Nova is a community orchestra of approximately 45 area musicians based in West Windsor.
The orchestra’s mission is to inspire central New Jersey audiences with innovative classical music programming from works by past and contemporary composers.
One of the group’s goals is to encourage area music educators to perform with the group, enabling their students to see them perform in professional settings.
Tickets are priced accordingly: $16 advance purchase; $18 general admission at the door; $12 for seniors and children 12 and under. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information, call 609-883-5873 or visit www.Capitalsingers.org and www.SinfoniettaNov.org.[[In-content Ad]]
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This version of the classic retelling of the agonizing journey of the Blessed Mother as she follows the passion and death of her son, marks the New Jersey premiere of the work by acclaimed Welsh composer Karl Jenkins.
Composed in 2008, Jenkins’ “Stabat Mater” is considered unique among different versions of the work in that it combines text in English, Latin, Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic – the common language of Christ’s time in the Middle East and musical modes from the Middle East.
The 12 movements of the piece are based on the 13th century poem ‘Stabat Mater dolorosa’ (the sorrowful mother was standing) which has been set to music by such composers as Poulenc, Haydn, Dvorak, Vivaldi, Verdi and others.
Listeners will get to experience the masterwork in a dynamic concert featuring nearly 100 performers and a full orchestra.
Collaborating with the Capital Singers, will be the Trenton Community Singers and the West Windsor Sinfonietta Nova.
Richard M. Loatman, artistic director and conductor of the Capital Singers and the Trenton Community Singers, and Gail H. Lee, artistic director and conductor of Sinfonietta Nova expect listeners to be captivated by the performance.
“This work is one of the most interesting and compelling that I have conducted,” Loatman said. “Jenkins combines so many different styles and traditions of music that audiences can connect with. It hooks you like one of those magnificent scores to a great Hollywood movie.”
Lee added: “I love how Jenkins paints the picture of this music – the brush, the stroke and the mediums he employs gives listeners a vivid portrait of the poem he used.
I was struck by the emotions this piece evoked in me. I’m certain the audience will find it exotic, refreshing and spiritual.”
Now celebrating their fifth anniversary season, the Capital Singers of Trenton, with the Trenton Community Singers, have become a choral mainstay in central Jersey. Their vast repertoire of sacred and secular music includes classics, spirituals and standards.
Most recently, the choristers performed a patriotic concert for Veterans’ Day in St. Paul Church, Princeton.
Serving as goodwill ambassadors for the city of Trenton, the choristers promote the art of choral singing throughout New Jersey.
Sinfonietta Nova is a community orchestra of approximately 45 area musicians based in West Windsor.
The orchestra’s mission is to inspire central New Jersey audiences with innovative classical music programming from works by past and contemporary composers.
One of the group’s goals is to encourage area music educators to perform with the group, enabling their students to see them perform in professional settings.
Tickets are priced accordingly: $16 advance purchase; $18 general admission at the door; $12 for seniors and children 12 and under. Special rates are available for groups of 15 or more. For more information, call 609-883-5873 or visit www.Capitalsingers.org and www.SinfoniettaNov.org.[[In-content Ad]]
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