Charis Chamber Voices                                                  Contact: Betsy Turner

                                           For Immediate Release               (914) 271-0714

www.charisvocals.com                  October, 2003

 

                                                CHARIS SINGS MAGNIFICAT

 

Charis Chamber Voices, under the direction of founder and artistic director Susanne Peck, will give three performances of “My Soul Doth Magnify,” a program featuring settings of the Magnificat by J. S. Bach, Gerald Finzi, and Henry Purcell, as well as 17th century American composer William Billings’ “Thanksgiving Hymn.” The program will also include contemporary settings by New York composers of traditional Christmas poems.  The concerts will take place on Saturday, November 22, 8:00 p.m., at Christ Church, 17 Sagamore Road in Bronxville, NY, on Sunday, November 23, 4:00 p.m., at Bedford Presbyterian Church on the Green in Bedford Village, NY, and on Saturday, December 6, 8:00 p.m. at All Souls Unitarian Church on Lexington Avenue at 80th Street in Manhattan. 

            The text of the exultant prayer, Magnificat, begins with the phrase “Magnificat anima mea Dominum” (My soul doth magnify the Lord), and has inspired hundreds of composers over the centuries.  Charis presents three distinct settings of this marvelous text:  J.S. Bach’s original version, which includes rarely heard movements for the Christmas season; Purcell’s setting for use at Evensong, and Finzi’s homage to the great cathedral choirs of his native England.  Each is a musical gem in its own right; together they illustrate how music can enhance the power of poetry.

            Now in its tenth year, Charis enjoys the admiration of some of New York City’s most prestigious choral conductors.  Michael Jaffee, director of the Waverly Consort, has praised Charis as “a superb ensemble.”  As part of the program, Susanne Peck, whom Jaffee has hailed as “an outstanding singer and gifted conductor,” will perform Wolfgang Mozart’s beloved “Exsultate Jubilate.”  In addition to conducting and singing, Ms. Peck teaches privately and at the Hoff-Barthelson Music School in Scarsdale.

            In 2001 Charis released its first CD, From Sorrow Free, a collection of American songs that ranges from Colonial New England hymns to settings of 20th century poetry.  The ensemble also has recorded a CD of composer Roger Davidson’s contemporary religious chants.  A Christmas CD, “Hoping it Might Be So: Christmastide” is scheduled for release in November, 2003.

Tickets are $25/$20 for students and seniors.  To order tickets call (914) 931-6575 or 914-337-3544 (For Bronxville concert only.)   For more information, visit the ensemble’s website at www.charisvocals.com.