Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 5pm
Shabnam Abedi & Musica Viva NY
A NOTE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Welcome to Musica Viva NY’s 2024-25 season! This year, we are thrilled to celebrate a significant milestone: our Artistic Director and conductor, Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, marks his 10th season with us!
To honor this occasion, we are presenting music that holds deep personal significance for Alejandro, centering on two composers who have profoundly influenced his musical journey: Bach and Brahms. This season also reflects Alejandro’s signature programmatic characteristics that he has cultivated over the years such as exciting collaborations, unusual and effective pairings of contemporary works with pieces from the classical canon, deeply interwoven programs that reflect on a theme, and large scale works that are well known and widely beloved.
Tonight’s program highlights an exciting collaboration with a former Musica Viva NY soloist Shabnam Abedi, who brings her talents in jazz, and Hindustani classical and raga music to the stage in a program that will show connections between the seemingly disparate musical styles.
Our December concert will celebrate the world’s religions, featuring a contemporary work by composer Reena Esmail alongside Bach’s Magnificat. In March, we will present one of Alejandro’s signature thematic programs, showcasing several contemporary works. To conclude the season, we offer Brahms’ monumental Requiem which will fill the stunning All Souls sanctuary with the powerful, timeless sounds of this masterpiece.
A special highlight of the season will be the release of our first recording under Alejandro’s direction on November 22, featuring all-American contemporary works, commissioned by Musica Viva NY, on the renowned Naxos label. We’ll celebrate this milestone with a reception following our December concert.
I’d like to take this opportunity to recognize the Musica Viva NY Board for their unwavering support, dedication, and belief in Alejandro’s artistic vision. Their time, skills, and resources make our success possible. I also want to extend heartfelt thanks to our incredible singers, whose talent and commitment bring Alejandro’s vision to life with every performance.
Ultimately, everything we do is for you—our audience and Patrons—in the hope of bringing joy, inspiration, and solace through music. Thank you for your continued support, and we invite you to join us for all of this season’s concerts as we celebrate our remarkable Artistic Director.
Warmly,
– Jasna Vasić, Executive Director
Sunday, September 29, 2024 at 5pm
All Souls NYC
SOUNDSCAPES
Shabnam Abedi & Musica Viva NY soloists
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, Artistic Director
Shabnam Abedi, soloist and harmonium
Joe Block, piano
Musica Viva NY soloists: Katie McCreary
Erinn Sensenig
Caitlin Caruso Dobbs
Shawn Bartels
Nathan Siler
Nick Hay
John Verkuilen
Tonight’s program will flow seamlessly from song to song as we traverse musical styles from classical choral, jazz, and Hindustani raags. A raag, meaning “color” or “passion” in Sanskrit, is a melodic framework for improvisation and composition in Indian classical music. Each raag has a different character and association. Desh is a romantic night-time raag. An early evening raag, Yaman conveys serenity and calm. Pilu is a light raag used to express joy and happiness. Kirwani often portrays longing and devotion.
When I Fall In Love ..........................
Written by Victor Young, music and Edward Heyman, lyrics arr. Shabnam Abedi
Raag Desh
Desh Exploration arr. Shabnam Abedi
Raag Yaman
Love Walked In
Written by George Gershwin, music Ira Gershwin, lyrics
INTERMISSION
Raags Pilu and Kirwani
Round Midnight .........................
Written by Thelonious Monk, music and Thelma Murray, lyrics
Nature Boy
When I Fall in Love reprise
Written by eden ahbez, music and lyrics
We hope you will join us downstairs for a reception after the concert.
MEET THE ARTISTS
Musica Viva NY is a non-profit arts organization that was established nearly fifty years ago. Its mission is to bring world-class music to a wide community through an annual concert series, an active community engagement program, and an ambitious artistic vision. Under the baton of Artistic Director Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez since 2015, Musica Viva NY strives to offer joy, solace and renewal in a complex world by presenting new compositions and classic masterworks in transformative interpretations that ennoble the human spirit.
Musica Viva NY’s superb chamber choir and world class collaborating instrumentalists make their concert home in Manhattan’s historic All Souls NYC. “Musica Viva NY is a treasured institution that makes living in New York a joy” ( Front Row Center).
Musica Viva NY regularly combines its presentation of the classical repertoire with less widely known works, as part of its commitment to perform the works of living American composers, women composers and composers of color, including works that address social, racial or environmental issues.
Musica Viva NY has commissioned and premiered numerous works by contemporary composers including Bora Yoon, Seymour Bernstein, Elena Ruehr, Joseph Turrin, Bruce Saylor, Jean-Louis Petit, Eugenio Toussaint, Gilda Lyons, Richard Einhorn, Trent Johnson and Trevor Weston. “With a commitment to new music and diverse composers, New York City choir Musica Viva NY is paving the way for daring collaborations” (Choir & Organ Magazine).
Esteemed conductor and pianist Dr. Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez is Artistic Director of Musica Viva NY and Director of Music at the historic Unitarian Congregation at All Souls NYC in Manhattan. He is also Artistic Director and co-founder of the New Orchestra of Washington, and Artistic Director of the Victoria Bach Festival. He has earned accolades from The Washington Post as a conductor “with the incisive clarity of someone born to the idiom,” as well as praise from The New York Times for leading “a stirring performance” of Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem. At a concert commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the WWI Armistice (featuring the world premiere of Joseph Turrin’s cantata, And Crimson Roses Once Again Be Fair) Oberon’s Grove wrote: “Maestro Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez drew rich, warm sounds from the musicians” in “a beautiful and deeply moving program.” He is featured in El mundo en las manos/Creadores mexicanos en el extranjero (The World in Their Hands/Creative Mexicans Abroad), a book by the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs honoring Mexican nationals who are leading figures in diverse artistic fields. He is the recipient of a 2016 Shenandoah Conservatory Alumni of Excellence Award for his exemplary contribution to his profession, national level of prominence, and exceptional integrity.
MEET THE ARTISTS
A passionate advocate of new music, Hernandez-Valdez has commissioned and premiered works by Joan Tower, Arturo Márquez, Joseph Turrin, Gilda Lyons, Seymour Bernstein, Viet Cuong, Juan Pablo Contreras, Elena Ruehr, Ramzi Aburedwan, Jorge Vidales, Mokale Koapeng, Trent Johnson, Javier Farias, Andrés Levell, Zachary Wadsworth, Martin Spruijt, Joel Friedman, and other notable composers. Hernandez-Valdez’s guest conducting engagements include appearances at The Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Lincoln Center in New York City, and the historic Degollado Theatre in Guadalajara, Mexico, where he has directed the Jalisco Philharmonic. He resides in New York City.
Kathryn McCreary is a singer, actor and puppeteer. Kathryn toured with The Phantom of the Opera as an ensemble member and Carlotta cover. Kathryn was featured off Broadway in Encores!’ The New Yorkers, the reconstructed Cole Porter musical, and puppeteering the role of Ms. Gladys, a kooky fairy Dog Mother in Rescue Rue. She is also a founding member of the “All’s Well Sisters”, a Boswell Sisters inspired Jazz Trio. She was the 2019 Musical Theater winner of the American Traditions Vocal Competition as well as a Regional Met Competition finalist. You can find her every Sunday at All Souls NYC. Love you fam!
Erinn Sensenig is an NYC based soprano and voice teacher. She is featured soloist on two albums releasing later this year, one with Musica Viva NY and the other with Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church Chamber Choir. This season, she performed as soprano soloist on Poulenc Gloria, Mozart’s Vesperae solennes de confessore and Coronation Mass, Faure’s Requiem, and as featured artist with Mexamorphosis and Fresh Squeezed Opera. This season, she also performs with Voices of Ascension, Musica Sacra, Clarion, Bard Summerscape, among others, and sings at churches around NYC. Erinn is a graduate of Westminster Choir College. Full bio and voice studio info at www. erinnsensenig.com
Caitlin Caruso Dobbs (she/her/hers) is a multi-genre singer, actor, and teaching artist. She most recently performed as Julia Child in Lee Hoiby’s chamber opera Bon Appétit (while really baking a chocolate cake for the audience) with La Senta Productions. She is thrilled to join the roster of fabulous musicians at All Souls and Musica Viva NY. Additional favorite credits include: NY Philharmonic Chorus (Lincoln Center), Saturday Night Live with Sam Smith, In the Beginning (Copland) Mezzo Soloist with New York Chamber Choir, Requiem for Gaia’s Children World Premiere at The NY Society for Ethical Culture, Man of La Mancha, Carousel,
MEET THE ARTISTS
Little Fish, Camp Wish-No-More, Into the Woods, Les Miserables, Tosca, La Traviata, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hairspray. When not performing she teaches voice and piano privately, Directs the annual P.S. 261 After School Musical, and Directs/Coaches cabarets in NYC. Education: B.M. NYU Steinhardt. www.caitlincarusodobbs.net
Shawn Bartels, tenor, has been a soloist with Musica Viva NY since 1996. Roles include Almaviva (Il Barbiere di Siviglia), Nanki-Poo (Mikado), Vain Man/ Snake (Little Prince), Quint (Turn of the Screw), Ottavio (Don Giovanni) and Nicolas in Britten’s Saint Nicolas Mr. Bartels sang Uriel (Creation) with Robert Shaw, in Jonathan Miller’s staging of Bach’s St. Matthew Passion and as a soloist at Carnegie Hall. Shawn has appeared with the Victoria Bach Festival, the Society of Musical Arts and the New Orchestra of Washington. He received his BM in Vocal Performance from the University of Northern Colorado and his MM in Vocal Performance from FSU.
Nathan Siler is a multidisciplinary artist who lives and works in New York City. In addition to singing as a soloist for Musica Viva NY, Composer’s Choir (New Haven, CT), New York Virtuoso Singers, Cantori New York, and All Souls Church, he frequently performs as a chorister at Carnegie Hall with the Bard Festival Chorale and at Lincoln Center with the New York Philharmonic Chorus. When not singing, Nathan keeps a busy schedule as a music producer, recording engineer, and composer. He has had several composition commissions over the last two years: an arrangement for orchestra to accompany Philharmonic shows with Grammy award-winning “kindie rock” band Sugar Free Allstars; two arrangements for choir, church organ, and rock band from Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the landmark album (commissioned by Galen Guengerich, Senior Minister of All Souls NYC); and on October 6th, will premiere a reimagined version of Led Zeppelin’s Rain Song, also using choir, church organ, and rock band, to accompany the ordination of Pamela Patton at All Souls NYC. For more information, follow Nathan on Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok @plafondaudiovisual.
Nicholas Hay, bass, has an active performance career as an ensemble singer with many choral organizations in the U.S. He started singing at a young age and joined the American Boychoir, previously one of the country’s premier music schools and a training ground for professional musicians. He has appeared with Opera Philadelphia, Baltimore Opera Company, Dell’Arte Opera Ensemble, Amore Opera, New York Lyric Opera Theatre, the Peabody Opera Theatre, Chelsea Opera,
Photo, Jack Cotterell
MEET THE ARTISTS
and the Opera Festival of New Jersey. An active choral singer and chamber musician, he sings regularly with the All Souls Choir in New York City, Musica Viva NY, New York Virtuoso Singers, The Crossing, Bard Festival Chorale, and other choral ensembles.
John Verkuilen, bass, is an Associate Conductor of the National Children’s Chorus, Assistant Conductor of the Oratorio Society of New York, and is on the faculty of Berkshire Choral International. John was recently a Visiting Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral Activities at Muhlenberg College, Artistic Director of Sine Nomine (Fall River), guest conductor of the Falmouth Chorale and Chamber Choir, Interim Music Director of Calliope Chorus and Orchestra (Boston), and Assistant Choral Conductor at Macalester College. He has taught on the summer faculties of Manhattan School of Music and Boston Conservatory. John performs regularly with professional choral organizations and has been on the roster of Minnesota Opera. His recent solo appearances include the Mozart and Faure Requiems and the role of Jesus and the bass arias in the Bach St. John Passion. John holds a DMA and MM in Choral Conducting from the Manhattan School of Music and Boston Conservatory, respectively, and a BA in International Studies and Music from Macalester.
Joe Block is an award-winning pianist, composer, arranger, bandleader, and musical director. He began his classical piano studies at the age of two and developed a passion for jazz during middle school. Now residing in New York City, Block is in high demand and has toured with artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Kurt Rosenwinkel, and Leslie Odom Jr. He has performed in over ten countries and in esteemed venues such as Carnegie Hall, the Village Vanguard, Lincoln Center, and the Apollo Theater.
Recognized by Jazz at Lincoln Center as one of “jazz’s most promising young composers,” Block received the 2024 ASCAP Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composer Award and was a semi-finalist in the 2023 Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz International Piano Competition. He leads the Open Heart Trio and the Joe Block Quintet, where he showcases many of his original works, and serves as the musical director of the Future of Jazz Orchestra. Block is a graduate of the Columbia-Juilliard dual-degree program, having earned a BA in 2021 and an MM in 2022. He has taught over 30 students, carrying forward the rich culture of mentorship he was surrounded with while growing up in Philadelphia, PA.
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Let’s delve into the subtle yet important middle layer of artistic creation – a setting or a scape. Imagine a landscape - what does it consist of? Trees? Rivers? Night sky or sunrise? Colors, textures, shadows and reflections, subjects: what’s going on? Now imagine this vision of a landscape to be made out of sound…a soundscape. When an artist begins to draw a landscape, they have colors (base layer), then they have their subjects and their idea of what they imagine in this landscape (middle layer), and then they add their own style (top layer). Two artists can have the same landscape look stylistically different and similar in many ways based on the choices they make using colors. Musicians do the same thing with sound. As artists are to musicians, colors are to sound, landscapes are to soundscapes, and style is to style. This evening’s program will be a presentation of sound, soundscapes, and two different styles - ragas and jazz.
We will transition between the two styles using soundscapes sung by a choral ensemble. The ensemble will represent the foundation of both styles of music; sound itself and soundscapes. We will enter and exit between different soundscapes using different patterns of notes and sound devices. You will be able to identify these different scapes by the specific feelings, colors, and textures that are presented. Following the journey of sound will help you recognize which scape we are leaving, entering, or inhabiting. One of the styles will be presented once we have entered a specific soundscape.
Ragas come from the world of Indian classical music. They are comparable to what we call “modes” in the Western world of music. A mode is a specific scale or a specific set of ascending and descending notes used to create music. There are choices that musicians have traditionally made throughout the history of Indian classical music that make it sound the way it does. Even though it’s foreign to most in the Western world, this style of music uses nothing but the same sounds and soundscapes that the Western world uses.
Jazz is a familiar style to us. It comes from the African American world of music. Most of us have heard this style of music throughout our lives in various settings. Perhaps as big band music plays during Christmas time or in the wail of a saxophone cutting through restaurant noise as you round a street corner. Jazz musicians have made different choices using the same soundscapes that create not only Indian classical music but all music from this world.
The choral voices (choir) will consist of 8 voices. This octet will be a constant variable throughout the program. The octet will create the different soundscapes and facilitate the transitions between each soundscape. They will show you the following layers – sound itself
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
(base layer), soundscapes (middle layer), and the two different styles (top layer). This octet will present how sound can mold and melt, how sound can create a scape for these two styles of music, and how sound itself has no stylistic specification but is a playing field for different scapes to form. Styles are then born based on the choices made using that soundscape.
I invite you on this journey of traveling between these different styles of music through the means of soundscapes. This will be an ethereal, abstract, meditative, at times foreign, but a warm and familiar experience.
– Shabnam Abedi
MUSICA VIVA NY 2024-2025 SEASON
Celebrate Alejandro’s 10th season as Artistic Director of Musica Viva NY!
December 8, 2024
THIS LOVE BETWEEN US
Bach and Esmail
March 2, 2025
CURSE UPON IRON
Tormis, Pärt, Allegri and Boulanger
May 18, 2025
A HUMAN REQUIEM
Brahms and Schubert
Soprano
Anna Aistova*
Elizabeth Clancy
Mary Esbjornson
Ching-Ying Huang*
Kathryn McCreary*
Erinn Sensenig*
Reldalee Wagner
Kate Wolfe Johnson
Alto
Caitlin Caruso Dobbs*
Rodolfo Girón*
Kate Katigbak
Natalie Lebert
Emily Mikesell
Dinah Nissen
Andrew Taylor-Troup*
Laura Villanueva
Gianna Zampardo
MUSICA VIVA NY
Musica Viva NY choir
Tenor
Shawn Bartels*
Juan Hernández*
Erik Resurreccion
Nathan Siler*
Bass
Nick Hay*
Matt Mueller*
Harold Norris
Christopher Rothko
John Verkuilen*
Paul Whelan*
Augustus Young
* Section leader
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MUSICA VIVA NY
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez
Artistic Director
Jasna Vasić
Executive Director
Trent Johnson
Assistant Director of Music
Erinn Sensenig
Operations and Production Manager
Julie Brannan President
Heidi DuBois Vice-President
Shawn Bartels Secretary
Seymour Bernstein
Laurel Blossom
Renée Fleming
Our Team
Dinah Nissen, Esq.
Marketing Director
Kate Phillips
Director of Community Engagement
Barbara de Bellis Librarian
Nathan Siler
Digital Marketing Consultant
Board of Directors
Lisa O’Brien, Esq. Treasurer
Constance Beavon
Shu-Wie Chen
Melanie Niemiec
Dinah Nissen, Esq.
Advisory Board
Galen Guengerich
Susan Jolles
Walter Klauss
Artistic Director Emeritus
Winnie Olsen
Kate Phillips
David Rockefeller, Jr.
Jean-Louis Petit
Bruce Saylor
Epp Sonin
PATRON SUPPORT LEVELS FOR OUR 2024-2025 SEASON
This 2024-2025 season is Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez’ 10th season as Artistic Director of Musica Viva NY. We need your generous contributions for this 2024-2025 season to celebrate this anniversary, and to support the outstanding concerts and community engagement programming of the Musica Viva NY choir and instrumentalists. There is a level for every budget, and you will enjoy special benefits as a measure of our thanks. Your contribution can be made as a one-time gift, or on a recurring basis.
PATRON LEVELS
APPASSIONATO
$10,000 and above
• Invitation to a dinner featuring a special performance by the Artistic Director
• Invitation to a season preview with the Artistic Director in the choir loft
• Six complimentary season subscriptions
• Reserved seating
• Two free passes to each concert’s Saturday dress rehearsal
CON FUOCO
$5,000 to $9,999
• Invitation to a dinner featuring a special performance by the Artistic Director
• Invitation to a season preview with the Artistic Director in the choir loft
• Five complimentary season subscriptions
• Reserved seating
• Two free passes to each concert’s Saturday dress rehearsal
CON BRIO
$3,000 to $4,999
• Invitation to a dinner featuring a special performance by the Artistic Director
• Invitation to a season preview with the Artistic Director in the choir loft
• Four complimentary season subscriptions
• Reserved seating
• Two free passes to each concert’s Saturday dress rehearsal
RISOLUTO
$1,000 to $2,999
• Invitation to a season preview with the Artistic Director in the choir loft
• Three complimentary season subscriptions
• Reserved seating
• Two free passes to each concert’s Saturday dress rehearsal
ESPRESSIVO
$500 to $999
• Invitation to a season preview with the Artistic Director in the choir loft
• Two complimentary season subscriptions
• Preferred seating
CANTABILE
$200-$499
• Invitation to a season preview with the Artistic Director in the choir loft
• One complimentary season subscription
• Preferred seating
DOLCE
$25-$199
• Acknowledgment in program at all levels
MUSICA VIVA NY PATRONS 2024-2025
We are deeply grateful to our Patrons listed below for their support of our 2024-2025 season. Thank you for joining us! Your support for our outstanding Musica Viva NY artists, our high-caliber, innovative choral and chamber music performances, and our community engagement is vital and essential.
Corporate and Foundation Support
The Heart & Soul Charitable Fund
New York City Department of Cultural Affairs
The Rea Charitable Fund
Appassionato $10,000 and above
Don & Georgia Gogel
Melanie & David Niemiec
Susan & David Rockefeller, Jr.
Con Fuoco $5,000 to $9,999
Heidi & Nicholas DuBois
Fritz Reuter
Jennifer Shotwell
Con Brio $3,000 to $4,999
Shu-Wie Chen
Victor Fidel & Heather Lloyd
Lois Gaeta, in Memory of David Remember Baker
Pamela Healey
Dinah Nissen & Elizabeth Apelles
Lisa O’Brien
Laura Pedersen
Madonna K. Starr
Risoluto $1,000 - $2,999
Tom & Heli Blum
Constance Beavon
Julie Brannan
Elizabeth Harvey
Harold Norris & Kell Julliard
Winnie Olsen
Judith Samuelson & Vic Henschel
Thomas Simpson
Brenda Walker
Espressivo $500 - $999
Lynne & Richard Allen
Shawn Bartels
Barbara de Bellis, in memory of Greta Minsky
Miles Chapin
Dixie Goss & Dan Cryer
Mary Gundermann
Dana Ivey
Michele Jawin & Dr. Mark Kroll
John Mascio
Kate Phillips
Karen Steele
Deborah Taylor
Aracy Winter
Rachel Ziemba
To find out about ways to support Musica Viva NY through employer matching, volunteering, and monthly giving, please contact our Executive Director at jasna@musicaviva.org .
MUSICA VIVA NY PATRONS 2024-2025
Cantabile $200 - $499
Robin Bossert
Anne Brewer
Alice Cheng
Richard Einhorn
Anne Fraenkel-Thonet
Mary Geissman
Carol Kirkman
Steven Lane
Millie & John Liebmann
Patricia Lloyd
Colleen McCourtney
Tara McNamara
Alison Tung
Dolce $25 - $199
Betsy & David Bennett
Marye Elmlinger
Christine Goodwin
Margaret Kampmeier & Edward
Harsh
Susan & Stephen Langley
Steven Ostrow
William Steele
This list reflects gifts received from June 1, 2024 to September 20, 2024.
SPONSOR MUSICA VIVA NY
There are many opportunities to play a role in bringing Musica Viva NY ’s season to life as a sponsor, including:
• Underwrite a concert
• Underwrite a recording
• Underwrite a tour
• Underwrite the appearance of a guest artist
Naming opportunities are available for sponsors.
Contact Jasna Vasić, Executive Director at jasna@musicaviva.org
Did you know?
✹ Musica Viva NY reaches almost 1,000 students each year in New York Public Schools, through concerts and educational workshops.
✹ Musica Viva NY partners with the New York Public Library to present monthly family concerts in various neighborhoods in the Bronx reaching over 300 families each year.
For more information about all our community engagement activity please visit the “Engagement” page on our website musicaviva.org
Musica Viva NY is extremely grateful for the following help with its 2024-25 season from:
All Souls NYC (www.AllSoulsNYC.org) for Musica Viva NY’s meeting, rehearsal, performance, and reception spaces as well as for the facilities and events staff who help make all productions run smoothly
Heart & Soul Fund, Inc. for its longtime support of our community engagement programming
MVNY’s community engagement is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council
