A VIRTUAL COMMEMORATION: As most performing arts organizations, New Orchestra of Washington and The Choral Arts Society of Washington present the Brahms’ Requiem in a fresh online experience.
by Patrick D. McCoy
In previous seasons, Choral Arts and The New Orchestra of Washington (NOW) have collaborated in these special presentations centered around the celebration of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). Previously exploring the juxtapositon of the tradition with the performance of the Mozart “Requiem” this year, the two organizations will co-present Brahms’s “Ein deutsches Requiem.” The concert will be livestreamed on Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 7:30pm ET pn the Choral Arts website and will honor and commemorate the lives of those around the world who have lost their battle with COVID-19.
Portions of the concert was performed and recorded from the Music Center at Strathmore with strict COVID-19 safety precautions taken during the recording process. These live performances are woven together with previously-recorded performances and photos from 2019’s concert that featured the same work. The solos from the 2019 performance at the Mexican Cultural Institute by Laura Choi Stuart (soprano) and Brian Mextorf (Baritone) will be included. Baritone Trevor Scheunemann was recorded at Strathmore early this October and included in this special presentation.
“As we journey together, we will build a virtual ofrenda to honor the lives of over 1 million world citizens who were lost in the pandemic and to acknowledge the pain of those who remain.” as stated in the press release.
WHAT: Día de los Muertos: Featuring Brahms’s Requiem Presented by Choral Arts and New Orchestra of Washington
WHEN: Saturday, October 31, 2020 at 7:30 pm
WATCH: CHORAL ARTS
PURCHASE TICKETS: $15
PROGRAM:
Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem
Featured Artists:
Alejandro Hernandez-Valdez, conductor
New Orchestra of Washington
Choral Arts Chamber Singers & Symphonic Chorus
Scott Tucker, Artistic Director
With Vocal Soloists:
Laura Choi Stuart, soprano
Trevor Scheunemann, baritone
Brian Mextorf, baritone
A native of Petersburg, VA, Patrick holds a BM in Vocal Performance from Virginia State University and a MM in Church Music from Shenandoah Conservatory. Formerly the Performing Arts Columnist for Washington Life Magazine, he currently is a freelance writer, publishing articles for several noted publications, including The Washington Post, Early Music America Classical Music Voice North America, The Afro-American Newspaper, CBS Washington and Examiner.com. He is a member of the Music Critics Association of North America, National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., The American Choral Directors’ Association, a member of the Shenandoah University Alumni Board of Directors and a Life Member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. He serves as Organist/Choirmaster at Saint John’s Episcopal Church, Zion Parish in Beltsville, MD and serves on the music faculty of Virginia State University where he teaches applied voice, music appreciation and assist with the University Concert Choir. Visit http://patrickdmccoy.com