Cantata Singers and Ensemble
| Cantata Singers and Ensemble | |
|---|---|
| Choir | |
Cantata Singers
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| Origin | Boston, MA |
| Founded | 1964 (53 years ago) |
| Music director | David Hoose |
| Associated groups | Greater Boston Choral Consortium |
| Awards | ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming of Contemporary Music (1995) |
| Website | www |
A singular desire to bring to Boston’s listeners music that isn’t being heard anywhere else has inspired Cantata Singers’ programming for 50 years.
In 1964, that music included the cantatas of J.S. Bach. Today, it may be hard for us to believe, but when Cantata Singers was founded in 1964, live performances of Bach cantatas were quite a rarity. In fact, Cantata Singers’ early concerts featured the first Boston performances of many of the cantatas.
Bach’s music, from the cantatas to the B-minor Mass to the Passions, remains an essential part of Cantata Singers’ repertoire. However, the ensemble’s repertoire has expanded to include music from the 17th century to today. Cantata Singers has commissioned 13 works for choir and orchestra—including one that was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Music—and has presented more than fifty Boston premieres of music both old and new.
Many of Boston’s most talented musicians perform regularly with Cantata Singers. The chorus is made up of singers who have careers as musicians, educators, doctors, and architects. Many of these members appear as soloists with Cantata Singers, as well as with other highly respected organizations; some conduct other choruses and orchestras in the area. Although many of our musicians perform actively as solo singers, they choose to sing with Cantata Singers because of the reward they find in performing music of the choral canon at the highest possible level.
Cantata Singers has always focused on the music—be it by Bach, Verdi, Harbison, or Pärt—and its audiences do, too. Our audiences return year after year to hear fresh visions of iconic music, or an intriguing unfamiliar work that is—in fact—quite approachable. Each Cantata Singers concert is often surprising, sometimes challenging, always beautiful, and ultimately inspiring.
Cantata Singers announces its 50th Anniversary Season in 2013-14 – a celebration of the organization’s longstanding and varied musical contributions and leadership.
“This 50th anniversary season connects us to the founding principle of Cantata Singers, the depth and richness of J.S. Bach,” said Music Director David Hoose. “In fact, the entire season is bound together by his spirit.”
The 50th Anniversary Season will commence on Friday, September 20, 2013 at 8:00pm at NEC’s Jordan Hall in Boston with a reprise of Cantata Singers’ inaugural program. Cantata Singers’ first concert, presented in November 1964 at the First Church in Boston, featured Bach’s Cantata BWV 131 “Aus der Tiefen,” Cantata BWV 82 “Ich habe genug,” and Cantata BWV 72 “Alles nur nach Gottes Willen.” Cantata Singers’ 50th anniversary “Celebration of Bach Cantatas” will feature those same three exquisite cantatas. Beloved baritone and Bach specialist James Maddalena will join Cantata Singers to perform Cantata 82.
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