Posted 3:56 p.m. Wednesday, May 6, 2015
UW-L Choral Union final concert of the academic year will feature Igor Stravinsky's most famous choral work.
UW-L Choral Union’s final concert of the academic year will feature Igor Stravinsky’s most famous choral work, the “Symphony of Psalms.”
Not a symphony at all, it is a three-movement work written for chorus and orchestra based upon three contrasting psalms. However, Conductor Gary Walth has chosen to perform the work with two grand pianos instead of orchestra and has spent the semester transcribing the orchestral score into a score for two pianos and chorus.
Walth admits that “this has been an intensive and exhaustive scholastic project, but one that will certainly enhance the choir’s performance.” He hopes to submit the new score for publication after the concert since a score of this kind is not currently available. The pianists for the “Symphony of Psalms” are Victoria Williquette and former UW-L student Alethia Williquette Kenworthy.
The second half of the concert will feature selected choruses from Gilbert and Sullivan’s operettas, “The Pirates of Penzance,” “H.M.S. Pinafore” and “The Gondoliers.”
The following singers with UW-L ties are soloists or in small ensembles in the Gilbert & Sullivan performances: Edward Kim, faculty in Mathematics; Eric Kraemer, faculty in Psychology; Sarah Sufferling, student; and Brooke Moerkerke, alum; are in “H.M.S. Pinafore”; and alum Trevor DuPey performs in “The Pirates of Penzance.”
The concert is scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17, in Annett Recital Hall, Center for the Arts. Suggested donations are: $5 for students, $8 for senior citizens, and $10 for others. Seats can be reserved by calling 608.785.8415.
The Choral Union includes UW-L students, UW-L faculty and staff, and La Crosse area community members. The Choral Union’s 2015-16 season will include J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat” among other major works. For information about the choir’s membership call 608.785.8414 or email Walth at gwalth@uwlax.edu.
If you go—
Who: UW-L Choral Union
What: Final concert of the academic year
When: 4 p.m. Sunday, May 17
Where: Annett Recital Hall, Center for the Arts
Admission: $5 for students, $8 for senior citizens, and $10 for others. Reserve seats at 608.785.8415