SFCA presents Seven Centuries of Christmas December 20, 2008

SAN FRANCISCO CHORAL ARTISTS AND ARTISTIC DIRECTOR MAGEN SOLOMON PRESENT:

Time travel through seven centuries of Christmas celebrations. Revel in magnificent Medieval and Renaissance treasures, beloved Baroque and Romantic works, and be the first to hear the new classics for the 21st century. Featuring the world premiere of Ted Allen’s Earth’s Winter Song, a brilliant work for double choir that entwines contemporary themes of beauty and strife with Christmas music of the 13th-18th centuries. The program also features works by Brahms, Byrd, Harrer, Praetorius, Purcell, Schütz, Stravinsky, Thompson, Zielenski, and others, together with works by local composers Henry Mollicone and Gene Puerling.

Ted Allen is featured Composer-in-Residence. An Oakland resident and California native, his musical associations have included the New York Ballet as well as Metallica and Nintendo. This is sure to be an unusual Christmas program, one to be savored.

WHERE/WHEN:

SAN FRANCISCO: Saturday, December 13, 2008; 8 PM
St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church, 500 De Haro Street

PALO ALTO: Saturday, December 20, 2008; 8 PM
St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 600 Colorado Avenue

OAKLAND: Sunday, December 21, 2008; 4 PM
St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 114 Montecito Avenue

MORE ABOUT SAN FRANCISCO CHORAL ARTISTS:

With 24 seasons of experience and over 90 world premieres to its credit, this elite ensemble has long earned acclaim from music critics, audiences, composers, and singers alike.

Under innovative Artistic Director Magen Solomon, the 24-voice chamber choir is furthering the choral tradition by supporting established living composers and emerging new talent. The Choral Artists champion new works and offer a forum for young composers to be heard through their Composer in Residence Program, Composers Invitational, and New Voices Competition for composers under age 30.

With a national reputation for performance excellence, San Francisco Choral Artists delights audiences with eclectic programs that contrast vibrant world premieres with choral masterpieces. New works from living composers—both local and from around the globe—together with music of many eras and styles ensure that each concert offers exciting musical experiences to audiences.

WHAT THE EXPERTS ARE SAYING:

“…awash in gorgeous harmonies …the choir’s sound was exquisite, rich, and sensuous, with clear diction, beautiful phrasing, and a perfect blend …deeply beautiful and moving”
– Jonathan Russell, San Francisco Classical Voice; professor,
San Francisco Conservatory of Music

"...an imaginatively-chosen, challenging, and very beautifully sung program"
– Lisa Hirsch, San Francisco Classical Voice

"A Bay Area Treasure"
– Composer Kirke Mechem

PUBLIC INFO: www.sfca.org; info@sfca.org; 415-979-5779

TICKETS: $22 General, $18 Senior, $12 Students/Groups (advance purchase)
$28 General, $23 Senior, $16 Students/Groups (at door)
http://www.sfca.org/tickets

Official Website: http://www.sfca.org/performances-main.php