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LISCA begins season with 'Serious Fun'
From ancient to modern, sacred to secular, the chorus presents it all
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| | | New LISCA director Thomas Schmidt with founding director Greg Smith and the Long Island Symphonic Choral Association. Photo by Ann Klein (click for larger version) | |
November 19, 2009 | 12:45 PM
Their music ranges from ancient to modern; from Gregorian chant, which traces its roots back to medieval Europe and beyond to contemporary composers; from sacred to secular. What is unique about the group is that its members use their voices as the primary musical instrument. They are the Long Island Symphonic Choral Association, over 60 strong.
LISCA members, noted Martina Matkovic, LISCA vice president, "Come from a lot of walks of life and occupations. There are people from Brookhaven Lab, Stony Brook University, scientists, teachers, music teachers in public schools. Nobody is a full- time paid professional singer." What unites the group is "a common interest and love for music, for performing music."
Matkovic came to LISCA from a longtime love of music herself. "Personally, for me, I sang in a chorus when I was a student in school. My first adult performance was in Boston in the Old North Church, a Christmas concert. That was such an amazing experience. That was it. Whenever we moved I sought out a chorus and joined it. It's a shared experience with other people who enjoy it … LISCA participation is challenging because (LISCA) has a reputation for such a varied repertoire." Matkovic added, "Then there's the thrill of the performance. It's exciting."
The 2009-10 performing season for LISCA begins on Dec. 12 at 8 pm at the St. James Roman Catholic Church, Route 25A in Setauket. The program will feature classical and popular music from contemporary composers, Gregorian chant (for the men's chorus) and a Cameroon melody with percussion.
"This year is special because it's a transitional year. We no longer have our founding director Greg Smith. Our new conductor Thomas Schmidt has fully taken over the chorus. Our direction has changed a little because of our new director." Matkovic noted that "music-wise we're doing some things we've never done before. The first performance this season, "Serious Fun," is "very exciting … It's upbeat." The music from Cameroon in Africa is "exciting, we're having fun with it. It's an audience-pleaser."
Said Schmidt (director of music at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in New York City), "There are three major works we are singing." The first is Benjamin Britten's "Ceremony of Carols." It was written for a boys' choir but is now performed by women and will be accompanied by a harp. "The second is four Christmas motets by 20th-century German composer Heinz Werner Zimmermann. What makes them unique — wonderful — is that they are written in jazz style — they are all syncopated, jazzy but combine with traditional German choral music." The third major work is the "Magnificat for Holly," written by LISCA's director emeritus Greg Smith over 15 years ago. "It's a lovely piece."
Schmidt noted that around those three major works will be a number of smaller pieces including a Gregorian chant Christmas hymn, "And Can it Be," which will "show off the male voices," three Christmas carol settings by John Rutter and "The Freedom Trilogy," African hymns. The final piece will be from Cameroon.
"It's a wonderful program," added Schmidt. "People will hear more things they've never heard before and have a lot of fun."
Schmidt noted that LISCA has been growing, to approximately 65 members now. "There is an excitement in the group." He also noted that LISCA will be going on tour to Argentina next summer where they are scheduled to perform at three venues.
LISCA's spring concert, date and place to be announced, will take place in May and feature today's composers who are bridging the divide between classical, jazz and popular styles.
A special benefit concert by the Moriel Chamber Players will take place on Friday, Nov. 20 at 8 pm at The Long Island Museum, 1200 Route 25A, Stony Brook. Violist and LISCA alto Moriel Weiselberg founded the chamber players who are donating their services to the fundraiser. The chamber group (Tom Karolyi, violin; Howard Haberly, violin; Moriel Weiselberg, viola and George Dewar, cello; will be joined by a second quartet, Hiroko Nakahara, violin; Harry Max, violin; Sandra Herman, viola and Richard Gottlib, cello) will present Felix Mendelssohn's Octet in E-flat major, written when the composer was just 16. Tickets for the benefit will be available at the door, and are $30 per person, and include a reception. Reservations are encouraged by calling 751-2743 or 941-9431.
Mark your calendar, noted Matkovic, for the spring gala and fundraiser to be held on Saturday, April 17 at the Old Field Club in Stony Brook. The Moscow Quartet will be performing. For further information and updates go to www.lisca.org.
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