Oakland Gardens, NY 11364
USA
Oratorio Society of Queens Presents Bruckner’s Epic
“Mass in F minor”
Maestro David Close Leads Chorus & Orchestra in selections from the American Choral Experience
Sunday, May 18 at 4:00 pm
Queensborough Performing Arts Center
Scale the heights of musical expression with the Oratorio Society of Queens (OSQ) in its performance of Anton Bruckner’s “Mass in F minor” for chorus, soloists and orchestra. Thrill to this thundering, heavenly and sublime homage to the universe of late romantic musical tradition. Also featured are opera highlights and the best of America’s musical heritage – reflecting a wide range of music that is the American choral experience- with Maestro David Close and The Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens.
The Oratorio Society of Queens performs it Annual Spring Concert on Sunday, May 18 at 4:00 pm in the Queensborough Performing Arts Center (QPAC), Bayside, New York.
This Queens’ institution will perform with its 125-plus member chorus under the direction of Maestro David Close with featured soloists Geraldine McMillian, soprano, Patricia Stevens, mezzo-soprano, Bruce Reed, tenor, Vaughn Fritts, bass-baritone, Guest Artist Jerry Korobow and with OSQ’s orchestra, the Orchestral Arts Ensemble of Queens.
Of the “Mass in F minor,” Johann von Herbeck, best known for leading the premiere of Schubert’s “Unfinished Symphony” said upon hearing it, “I know only two Masses: this one and Beethoven’s ‘Missa Solemnis. ‘” High praise indeed for this extraordinary work. Bruckner reaches the pinnacle of musical expression in his Mass for chorus, soloists and orchestra. It rightly takes its place alongside the magisterial utterances of Bach and Mozart. Franz Liszt and Johannes Brahms were unanimous in their praise of the work.
Mention Anton Bruckner and the whole universe of late-romantic musical tradition is conjured up. We usually think of Bruckner and Mahler as a pair that exemplify the spirit of the late 19th century symphonic age. While they shared a tendency toward huge forces and epic lengths, they were quite different. In Mahler, who was his student in Vienna, we find a restless searcher for truth. In Bruckner, we discover a man deeply rooted in the certitude of his faith. In addition to nine symphonies, Bruckner composed masses, motets and choral works including a “Te Deum” and “Psalm 150.”
Thrill to Irving Berlin’s “Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor”, based on Emma Lazarus’ immortal poem inscribed on the base of the Statue of Liberty and “America the Beautiful” in Oscar award-winning Carmen Dragon’s brilliant arrangement! Hear our memorial tribute to Pete Seeger in “Turn, Turn, Turn” and our salute to our great land in Woody Guthrie’s “This Land is Your Land”. Operatic highlights include the incomparable duet from Bizet’s “The Pearl Fishers.”
Queensborough Performing Arts Center is located in Queensborough Community College at 222-05 56th Avenue, Bayside, NY – on 56th Avenue one block east of Springfield Boulevard in Bayside. Parking is free on the main lot next to the theater, which offers easy-access entry.
