LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE CONCLUDES 48th SEASON WITH MOSTLY A CAPPELLA TRIBUTE TO HENRYK GÓRECKI June 10, 2012

The Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC) concludes its 48th Season with a heartfelt, mostly a cappella tribute to celebrated Polish composer Henryk Górecki on Sunday, June 10, 2012, 7 pm, at Walt Disney Concert Hall. Górecki, who passed away in November 2010 at age 76, is noted for the rapturous simplicity and monumental emotional power of his music, which oftentimes was a thorn in the side of Poland’s then-communist regime. LAMC Music Director Grant Gershon, a longtime champion of the composer, conducts Miserere, Lobgesang (Song of Praise), written for chorus and glockenspiel, and the Marian Songs. Brahms’ Schaffe in mir, Gott, ein rein Herz provides aural contrast for Górecki’s compelling music. Gershon and KUSC’s Alan Chapman participate in Listen Up!, the pre-concert talk at 6 pm.

The Chorale is also recording the Górecki repertoire for its second CD with Decca. Slated for release in the fall, it will be the world premiere recording of both Lobgesang (Song of Praise) and the Marian Songs. The CD comes on the heels of the chorus’ all-Nico Muhly recording, A Good Understanding, which launched the choir’s recording partnership with Decca in 2010.

Gershon says, “During my time with the Chorale, I have greatly enjoyed sharing with our audiences Górecki’s powerful and intense choral works. His music, both timeless and relevant, beautifully fits the sonic profile of the Chorale. This recording will enable the Chorale to greatly expand the reach of Górecki’s incredible music.”

The centerpiece of the concert and the recording is Górecki’s 1981 composition Miserere, written in support of Poland’s then-budding Solidarity Movement and suppressed for six years because of political pressures. The once-radical plea for peace, consisting of just five imploring words of text – “Domine Deus Noster” (Lord our God) and “Miserere nobis” (have mercy on us) – builds, layer upon layer, from a deep bass chant to the full 115-voice choir swelling to a stunningly rapturous conclusion. Gershon featured the piece during his first season as the Chorale’s music director a decade ago.

Tickets range from $24 - $134. Group rates are available. For tickets and information, please call (213) 972-7282, or visit www.lamc.org. (Tickets cannot be purchased at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Box Office except on concert days starting 2 hours prior to the performance.) The Walt Disney Concert Hall is located at 111 South Grand Avenue at First Street in downtown Los Angeles.

Official Website: http://www.lamc.org