January – June 2020 Artistic Director Paul Hillier —1—
All booking details and further information can be found on www.chamberchoirireland.com or by calling +353 (1) 554 5210
Chamber Choir Ireland receives principal funding and support from the Arts Council / an Chomhairle Ealaíon with additional support from Dublin City Council. Chamber Choir Ireland is a resident ensemble at the National Concert Hall and Associate Artists to Dublin City University. Chamber Choir Ireland is a member of Tenso; the network of professional chamber choirs in Europe. www.chamberchoirireland.com
Connect with us online
—2—
Contents P 11
Arvo Pärt, David Lang, Louis Andriessen January – Carlingford, Dublin P 13
New Music Dublin I will sing away the despair of the old universe March – Dublin P 15
Good Friday: Bach St John Passion April – Dublin P 17
Like As The Waves April/May – Dublin, Cork P 19
Masters of the Baroque 1 June – Wexford, Dublin LEARNING & PARTICIPATION EVENTS P 20
Choral Sketches 2019/2020 P 21
Choral Sketches 2019/2020 P 22
Composers in the Classroom P 23
Cork International Choral Festival P 24 / 25
Commissions —3—
Welcome Throughout the last few years, we have been heartened by the audience reaction to Chamber Choir Ireland’s programming – encapsulating everything from early music to brand new commissions. Our 2020 year will see an increased number of performances including extended national touring in the latter part of the year, five newly commissioned works by both Irish and international composers, more collaborations with our fellow Irish performing groups and Festivals, more guest directors, and the beginning of a new series entitled Masters of the Baroque following on from our hugely successful Before Bach and After series in 2018/2019. But, to the first half of 2020. We begin in January with three titans of contemporary music: Arvo Pärt | David Lang | Louis Andriessen including Pärt’s deeply moving setting of the incantation attributed to St. Patrick, The Deer’s Cry in Carlingford and Dublin. We return to New Music Dublin in March and welcome back to Dublin Guest Director, Nils Schweckendiek (Finland) in a programme which will include two new commissions by young prize-winning composers: Aftab Darvishi (Iran) and Jug Marković (Serbia). We are delighted to partner with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra for their Good Friday performance in April of Bach’s St John Passion under the direction of David Hill (UK), and return for our annual residency at Cork International Choral Festival in May which will include a newly commissioned work by Irish composer, Amanda Feery. To close out the first half of the year, we begin our exploration of Masters of the Baroque with works by Schütz and Monteverdi in Wexford and Dublin.
—4—
Continuing our commitment to Learning and Participation, we close off the 2018/2019 Choral Sketches programme in January with a performance reading of works by participant composers Eoin Mulvany, Sinéad Finegan, and Anselm McDonnell in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre as well as commence year 4 of the project in June. And we continue our work with Composers in the Classroom as we visit schools throughout Ireland mentoring students writing new choral works. As always we are indebted to the Arts Council / an Chomhairle Ealaíon for their continued support, and Dublin City Council, together with all our Friends and Chamber Choir Ireland Society members. Thanks too, to our partner promoters throughout the island enabling us to take our work around the country. We are also very grateful to you for your support throughout the year as our audience and friends. Please do digest the contents of our season – there’s lots to whet your choral appetite – mark your diaries, and join us for another wonderful choral music journey. Majella Hollywood ceo chamber choir ireland
—5—
Chamber Choir Ireland
—6—
Paul Hillier Paul Hillier is from Dorset in England and studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. His career has embraced singing, conducting, composing, and writing about music. He formed the Hilliard Ensemble in 1973 and was its musical director for 17 years. In 1990 he created a new group called Theatre of Voices, which he continues to direct today. He has taught in the USA at the University of California campuses of Santa Cruz and Davis, and from 1996-2003 was Director of the Early Music Institute at Indiana University, Bloomington. He was Principal Conductor of the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir (2001–2007) and has been Chief Conductor of Ars Nova Copenhagen since 2003. His books about Arvo Pärt and Steve Reich are published by Oxford University Press. In 2006 he was awarded an OBE for services to choral music. In 2007 he received the Order of the White Star of Estonia, and was awarded a Grammy for Best Choral Recording. In 2008 he became Chief Conductor of Chamber Choir Ireland and was appointed artistic director of the newly formed Coro Casa da Musica in Porto. That same year he also created his own music publishing company, Theatre of Voices Edition (www.tov-edition.com). During 2009 he was artist in residence at Yale University’s Institute for Sacred Music. In 2010 he was awarded his second Grammy – for David Lang’s The Little Match Girl Passion. In 2013 he was awarded the Order of Dannebrog (the Danish knighthood) by Her Majesty Queen Margrethe of Denmark. Paul is represented worldwide by Konzertdirektion Hörtnagel, Berlin. —7—
“a sheerly beautiful immersion in choral sonority” Irish Times, March 2019 —8—
Chamber Choir Ireland Garnering a strong reputation for its unique approach to creative commissioning, recording and programming, Chamber Choir Ireland is the country’s flagship choral ensemble and national chamber choir under the Artistic Direction of the multi-award-winning conductor, Paul Hillier. The Choir’s programmes span from early renaissance to the present day, incorporating established choral classics with cutting edge commissions, and a style of performance that incorporates versatility, dynamism and often vocal pyrotechnics. The Choir has a strong commitment to touring in Ireland and continues to develop its touring network in order to present high quality choral concerts to audiences around the country. International touring has included the USA, UK, Belgium, Russia, Germany and South America. Chamber Choir Ireland has a strong Learning and Participation programme, including in Composers in the Classroom, Choral Sketches, and Sing! at Axis: Ballymun. Forthcoming recording releases will include the premiere recording of Tarik O’Regan and Alice Goodman’s cantata, A Letter of Rights, with the Irish Chamber Orchestra. The choir has previously recorded for the Harmonia Mundi, RTÉ lyric fm labels including the world premiere recording of works by Gerald Barry, Barry meets Beethoven, featuring the Crash Ensemble and Stephen Richardson on the Orchid Classics label.
—9—
A∏VO DAVID
LANG LOUIS AND∏IESSEN — 10 —
Arvo Pärt, David Lang, Louis Andriessen In our opening programme of 2020, Chamber Choir Ireland presents three titans of 20th/21st century composition, Pärt, Lang, Andriessen, with ancient texts presented in a contemporary context and contemporary texts telling ancient stories. We mark Arvo Pärt’s 85th birthday year with a selection of his choral works including his deeply moving setting of The Deer’s Cry. We Return to David Lang performing a selection of songs from love, fail - a meditation on the timelessness of love. And we close the programme with Louis Andriessen’s Flora Tristan; a multi-lingual text about the French/Peruvian social activist Flora Tristan. Saturday 25 January. Carlingford Heritage Centre 7.30pm | €15/10/5 26 January. St Ann’s Church, Dawson St, Dublin 3.30pm | €20/15/5 Conductor Paul Hillier Programme
Arvo Pärt (b. 1935) Morning Star The Deer’s Cry Dopo la vittoria David Lang (b.1957)
a selection of songs from love, fail
Louis Andriessen (b.1939)
Flora Tristan — 11 —
— 12 —
I will sing away the despair of the old universe The cathartic power of music comes to the fore in Chamber Choir Ireland’s programme for New Music Dublin 2020. Canadian-Finnish composer Matthew Whittall’s ad puram annihilationem meam is an intense, introspective ritual of spiritual cleansing, while the American-Finnish composer Alex Freeman is represented by excerpts from his deeply moving Requiem to the memory of the victims of the 1918 Finnish Civil War. Crossing to the opposite shore of the Baltic Sea, the music of the Estonian composer Helena Tulve combines delicate fragility with an indestructible primal intensity. Newly commissioned works from two award-winners of the Tenso young composers’ scheme complete the programme: Serbian Jug Marković and Iranian Aftab Darwishi.
Sunday 1 March St Stephen’s Church (Pepper Canister), Dublin 6pm | €10 Conductor Nils Schweckendiek Programme
Helena Tulve (b. 1972, Estonia) Zärtliche Nacht (from Nächtliche Gesänge) Alex Freeman (b. 1972, USA) Requiem aeternam (from Under the Arching Heavens: A Requiem) Jug K Marković (b. 1987, Serbia) Traces – commissioned work Alex Freeman (b. 1972, USA) Sanctus (from Under the Arching Heavens) Aftab Darwishi (b. 1987, Iran) Without the words – commissioned work
Matthew Whittall (b. 1975, Canada/Finland) ad puram annihilationem meam Alex Freeman (b. 1972, USA) O years and graves! (from Under the Arching Heavens) Commissions from Jug K Marković and Aftab Darwishi are funded by New Music Dublin and Tenso – the network of professional chamber choirs in Europe.
— 13 —
— 14 —
St. John Passion Chamber Choir Ireland joins forces with the RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra, conductor David Hill and five internationally acclaimed soloists for a work as monumental as it is moving. One of the most magnificent and moving of all choral works, Bach’s St John Passion is a compelling re-telling of the events leading up to Christ’s crucifixion on Good Friday. Operatic in its scale and intensity, it’s a bold, dramatic and emotional experience that speaks of human frailty and divine redemption with overwhelming sincerity. For all faiths and none, it is a masterpiece that gives a human dimension to a story of divine promise and hope. Friday 10 April, National Concert Hall, Dublin 3.30pm €20, €28.50, €34.50, €40.00. Limited concessions available. Chamber Choir Ireland RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra David Hill Conductor Nick Pritchard (Evangelist) Michael Mofidian (Jesus) Aoife Miskelly soprano James Hall countertenor James Oxley tenor Stephan Loges baritone Programme J S Bach
St John Passion
— 15 —
LIKE AS
THE
WAVES — 16 —
Like as the waves Like as the waves is a concert about cries and water, incorporating birdsong, street cries, religious oppression, and the Shipping Forecast (Longwave)—which Composer, Amanda Feery, describes as ‘a lullaby for adulthood’. The concert is also about money, loss, garlic, exile, Copenhagen, and finally love. Numerous references weave these pieces together, and yet they remain what they are. The concert’s title is drawn from the Shakespeare sonnet which is sung towards the end of GudmundsenHolmgreen’s Three Stages. Thursday 30 April, St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street 8pm | €20/€15/€5 Friday 1 May, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral, Cork 7.30pm | €21 Conductor Paul Hillier Programme Clément Janequin (1485–1558) Le Chant des Oiseaux Luciano Berio (1925–2003) The Cries of London Séan Ó Riada Composition Competition Winning Entry TBC (cork performance only) Philippe de Monte (1521–1603) Super flumina Babylonis William Byrd (1543–1623) Quomodo cantabimus Amanda Feery (b. 1984) Longwave (world premiere) Pelle Gudmundsen-Holmgreen Three Stages (1913–2016) I In the streets II In the woods III Streets, Woods, Like as the waves
— 17 —
MASTE∏S OF THE
BA∏OQUE 1 — 18 —
Masters of the Baroque 1 Following the success of our Before Bach and After series in 2018/2019, we begin a new series entitled Masters of the Baroque. In the first of this series, we present Claudio Monteverdi’s Missa In Illo Tempore which gets its title from the Franco-Flemish composer, Nicholas Gombert’s motet of the same name, and the work was published at the same time as Monteverdi’s more well-known Vespers (1610). Schütz studied in Venice and while his principle teacher was Giovanni Gabrieli, a second visit to Venice in 1629 was when he met Monteverdi. There are hints of Italian style even in the Musikalische Exequien. While its proportions may appear modest, this work is commonly regarded as one of Schütz’s most endearing works. Saturday 6 June, Wexford Opera House 7.30pm | €20 / €15 concession / €5 U16s Sunday 7 June, St Ann’s Church, Dawson Street 3.30pm | €20/€15/€5 Chamber Choir Ireland Conductor Paul Hillier Programme Claudio Monteverdi Missa In Illo Tempore: Kyrie, Gloria Nicholas Gombert
In illo tempore loquente Jesu
Claudio Monteverdi Missa In Illo Tempore: Credo Claudio Monteverdi Missa In Illo Tempore: Sanctus, Agnus Heinrich Schütz
Musikalische Exequiem — 19 —
LEARNING & PARTICIPATION EVENTS
Choral Sketches 2019/2020 Ending Year Three of Choral Sketches we are delighted to present a performance reading of the completed works by Anselm McDonnell, Eoin Mulvany and Sinéad Finegan in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre. Friday 24 January Kevin Barry Recital Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin 12 noon | Free but ticketed Chamber Choir Ireland Conductor Paul Hillier
— 20 —
LEARNING & PARTICIPATION EVENTS
Choral Sketches 2020/2021 To kickstart Year Four of Choral Sketches we will present the initial ideas of the three 2020 composers in a public workshop delivered by Chamber Choir Ireland and Paul Hillier. In 2020, the composers will be mentored by internationally renowned composer, Kevin Volans and in the course of the workshop the composers will explore ideas for their new choral works. Presented in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre Friday 5 June Kevin Barry Recital Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin 1.30 – 4.30 | Free but ticketed Chamber Choir Ireland Conductor Paul Hillier — 21 —
LEARNING & PARTICIPATION EVENTS
Composers in the Classroom Chamber Choir Ireland, in partnership with the Contemporary Music Centre, presents the Gala concert performance of a selection student compositions from the 2020 Composers in the Classroom programme. Over 40 students from right across the country have been mentored by leading Irish composers in writing new choral music for the singers of Chamber Choir Ireland. Friday 3 April Kevin Barry Recital Room, National Concert Hall, Dublin 3pm | Free but ticketed Chamber Choir Ireland Conductor Elizabeth Hilliard This project is jointly delivered by Chamber Choir Ireland and the Contemporary Music Centre with the support of the Arts Council / an Chomhairle Ealaíon. — 22 —
LEARNING & PARTICIPATION EVENTS
Cork International Choral Festival
As piloted in 2019, singers from Chamber Choir Ireland will once again offer workshops/master classes to choirs attending the Cork International Choral Festival. The commissioned work by Amanda Feery will be introduced and discussed. Further details on all of the learning and participation elements of CCI at Cork International Choral Festival will be announced closer to the Festival dates on www.corkchoral.ie
— 23 —
Commissions Chamber Choir Ireland continues to expand its commitment to commissioning and performing the world premieres of new choral works from Irish and International Composers.
AMANDA FEERY
AFTAB DARVISHI
JUG K MARKOVIĆ
— 24 —
Amanda Feery – Longwave PREMIERE: 30 APRIL/1 MAY 2020
Amanda Feery participated in the first season of Chamber Choir Ireland/Contemporary Music Centre’s Choral Sketches project and will develop her work in that project for a piece entitled Longwave using as it’s source, the shipping forecast. This is a co-commission with the Cork International Choral Festival.
Aftab Darvishi – Without the Words PREMIERE: 1 MARCH 2020
Aftab Darvishi won the Tenso Young Composer’s Award in 2016 and this commission is co-funded by Tenso, as part of Aftab’s award, and New Music Dublin through funds form the Arts Council. Without the Words will set the text of Emily Dickinson’s Hope is the thing with feathers.
Jug K Marković – Traces PREMIERE: 1 MARCH 2020
Jug K Marković won the Tenso Young Composer’s Award in 2017 and also participated in the second season of Chamber Choir Ireland/Contemporary Music Centre’s Choral Sketches project. Jug has developed the sketches from that project to complete his work Traces which is co-funded by Tenso, as part of his award, and New Music Dublin through funds from the Arts Council.
— 25 —
Recordings from
Chamber Choir Ireland Available at all CCI concerts and online at Amazon / iTunes Further information from www.chamberchoirireland.com
Barry meets Beethoven
Acallam na Senórach (An Irish Colloquy)
One Day Fine
Carols from the Old and New Worlds Vol.3
Choirland (Book & CD)
— 26 —
Thank You We would specifically like to thank:
Friends of Chamber Choir Ireland:
Chamber Choir Ireland Society:
Pat Barker Olga Barry Ita Beausang David and Dorothy Byers Mahon Carmody Patrick Coffey Mary Collins Conor Crowley Alan Esdale Emer Foley Judith Gannon Ruth & Desmond Kinsella Mary MacAodha Aine MacCallion Penelope Mcauley Jenny Mellerick Sean O’Neill Geoff Simpson Brendan & Siobhan Supple
Barry Doocey Warwick Harte Majella Hollywood Bríd Horan Geraldine O’Sullivan Brian Walsh Corporate support: ESB High Performance Training
And those Friends who wish to remain anonymous
— 27 —
Become a Supporter By becoming a Friend or Chamber Choir Ireland Society member, you are helping us to continue the beautiful work that we do as Ireland’s flagship choral ensemble. Contributions from Chamber Choir Ireland supporters help us continue the brave, exciting and innovative nature of our programming as well as providing necessary funding to grow and develop our Learning and Participation programmes which benefit participants of all ages across Ireland. The Chamber Choir Ireland Society is specifically for people who want to ensure that the tax on their donation comes directly to Chamber Choir Ireland. Members donate €250 or more a year. They waive any thank-you benefits and give us permission as a registered charity to claim the tax on their donation. 1 YEAR OF SUPPORT Individual Friend
€100
Ensemble Friend (couple)
€175
Student Friend
€35
includes 4 tickets to Chamber Choir Ireland concerts, an invitation to attend an annual open rehearsal and a special thank-you in our concert programmes Chamber Choir Ireland Society
— 28 —
€250+
There are unique benefits open to you as a Friend of Chamber Choir Ireland, and these include: 2 COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS to a concert of your choice from our annual programme An invitation for you and a friend to attend AN ANNUAL OPEN REHEARSAL with Paul Hillier and the Singers A SPECIAL THANK-YOU in our concert programmes and on our website ADVANCE MAILING of the season brochure
To become either a Friend of Chamber Choir Ireland or a member of the Chamber Choir Ireland Society, or to enquire about other options for support, please contact Majella Hollywood on + 353 (1) 554 5210 or majella@chamberchoirireland.com
— 29 —
Artistic Director Paul Hillier Chief Executive Majella Hollywood Concerts’ Manager David Darcy
Board of Directors Olga Barry Eamonn Eaton Bea Kelleher Susan Lannigan Prof. Brian MacCraith Alastair Rankin Richard Twomey Brian Walsh (Chair)
Funders
Supporters
Partners
— 30 —
WHERE LIFE SOUNDS BETTER
96-99fm | On Mobile | rte.ie/lyricfm |@rtelyricfm
Untitled-1 1
12/03/2015 15:36:55
— 31 —
Chamber Choir Ireland National Concert Hall, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2 telephone +353 (0)1 554 5210 email admin@chamberchoirireland.com Full booking details for all concerts available at www.chamberchoirireland.com
— 32 —
