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First Performance of Randall Thompson's Requiem in 27 Years
The Philadelphia Singers present the Philadelphia Premiere of Randall Thompson's REQUIEM and possibly its first performance by
a professional choir + pre-concert lecture with leading Thompson scholars
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PHILADELPHIA, PA - The Philadelphia Singers conclude their 39th Season and prepare for the 40th Anniversary Season with a rare performance and Philadelphia Premiere of Randall Thompson's Requiem. On March 3, 2012 at 8:00 pm, The Philadelphia Singers, led by Music Director and Conductor David Hayes, will present one performance only of this masterwork at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. This concert has attracted national attention by Thompson scholars and two of those scholars Dr. Zachary Vreeman of the University of Wyoming and Dr. Carl B. Schmidt of Towsen University will present a free pre-concert lecture about the work at 7:00 pm on March 3 at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street. Tickets for this concert range from $22-$40 (student pricing is available) and are available online at PhiladelphiaSingers.org or by phone at 215.751.9494. About Randall Thompson's Requiem
The Philadelphia Singers' performance of Randall Thompson's Requiem features an expanded ensemble of 40 singers in a double chorus. In what might be considered as possibly the first, truly American Requiem, Thompson didn't rely on liturgical texts, but rather pulled together small sections of biblical texts - often as small as a few words - to develop a cohesive and dramatic whole. It was premiered in 1958, incomplete, by the University of California Chorus, because of a lack of rehearsal time and given its first complete performance one year later at Harvard University. There have been few documented complete performances of the Requiem since, the last one in 1985 - 27 years ago.
According to Dr. Vreeman, who wrote his doctoral dissertation specifically on this work, Thompson's Requiem is an "intensely dramatic and emotionally taxing work to perform, beyond the capabilities of many of the choirs who regularly perform Thompson's work." Vreeman states, "It is Thompson's deeply personal statement on the Requiem subject, something Thompson showed himself unafraid of..." This factor, in addition to other works, such as his much more well-known Frostiana, premiered directly after the first complete performance, robbed, in a sense, the Requiem of its deserved attention. The Philadelphia Singers' performance of Thompson's Requiem on March 3, therefore, will be the first documented complete performance of the work in nearly 30 years and possibly the first such performance by a professional chorus. |
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Pre-Concert Lecture and Discussion
Prior to the Philadelphia Premiere of the Requiem, The Philadelphia Singers will host a pre-concert lecture and discussion, moderated by American Choral Music scholar and Professor at West Chester University, Dr. David P. DeVenney. The discussion will be held in room II-J at the Curtis Institute of Music, 1726 Locust Street, at 7:00 pm on March 3. Joining Dr. DeVenney will be two music scholars, Dr. Zachary Vreeman and Dr. Carl B. Schmidt. The lecture and audience discussion will explore the significance of the evening's performance of the Requiem, the compositional nuances that make the work a masterpiece and personal insights into Randall Thompson, the man and composer. This event is generously funded, in part, by a grant from the Pennsylvania Humanities Council.
About the Scholars:
Dr. Zachary Vreeman, Professor of Music at the University of Wyoming, earned his Doctor of Musical Arts degree in choral conducting from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2011, where he studied under Peter Eklund and Therees Hibbard. As a scholar and proponent of American music, Dr. Vreeman has done significant research into the life and works of 20th century choral icon Randall Thompson, specifically the Requiem, which has included reading and examining thousands of Thompson's personal letters held in the Houghton Library at Harvard University. Dr. Vreeman will discuss the significance of the performance and the compositional nuances which make it a masterpiece.
Dr. Carl B. Schmidt, Professor of Music at Towsen University, received his undergraduate degree with honors from Stanford University and his MM and Ph.D. degrees from Harvard University. Dr. Schmidt has recently published the book, The Story of Randall Thompson's Alleluia Revisited: A Facsimile Edition with Commentary (Boston: ECS Publishing, 2010) and is working with his wife Elizabeth on his next, entitled The Music of Randall Thompson (1899-1984): A Documented Catalogue. Dr. Schmidt, who knew Randall Thompson personally through his time at Harvard University, will give personal insights into the man and composer.
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About The Philadelphia Singers
The Philadelphia Singers, a 32-voice fully professional choral ensemble, engages and inspires audiences in the Philadelphia region with compelling concert experiences. The Singers has a special commitment to preserve and strengthen America's rich choral heritage through performances, commissions and music education.
Founded in 1972 by Michael Korn, The Philadelphia Singers is now under the dynamic leadership of Music Director and Conductor David Hayes. For 39 years, The Singers has contributed to the city's vibrant cultural community through presenting choral music of the highest caliber, meaningful education and community programs and significant collaborations with local, national and internationally recognized performing arts organizations. Maestro Wolfgang Sawallisch, Conductor Laureate of the Philadelphia Orchestra, hails The Singers as "one of the musical treasures of Philadelphia."
Major funding provided to The Philadelphia Singers by the William Penn Foundation, the Presser Foundation, and the Musical Fund Society, among others. Additional sponsorship by WRTI. Production support through Rich Tolsma Productions.
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