Silent Night, Noisy Night December 12, 2010

"An enviable standard of excellence"
--Wayne Peterson, composer

From bells and bongos to midnight stillness -- this season brings sounds as well as silence. In their "Silent Night, Noisy Night" program, San Francisco Choral Artists journey from 17th Century Spain, through England, Latvia, Romania, Poland, and Haiti to 21st Century North America for both joyous celebration and quiet contemplation of this holiday. The program includes works by early music composers Byrd and Nanino; more contemporary works by Desamours, Jansons, Joubert, Karai, Lemacher, Nordqvist, Paynter, Pilkington, Pinkham, Sametz, Vlad, and Willan; and 3 world premieres--from locals Tina Harrington and 2010 Composer-In-Residence Richard Felciano, and Australian Composer-Not-in-Residence Steven Leek.

Richard Felciano's love of choral music began in high school and was encouraged by his first composition teacher, Darius Milhaud. He also admires the solo voice, and was commissioned by the Library of Congress to create a song cycle using the interviews of Studs Terkel.

Stephen Leek is perhaps one of Australia's most innovative and recognized composers. As Artistic Director / Conductor of The Australian Voices from 1993 to 2009, he has also been instrumental in creating a unique Australian choral voice and a place for Australian choral music on the world stage.

Under Magen Solomon's leadership the Choral Artists have premiered over 140 works, released several CDs, and performed at two ACDA conventions. Active as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician in the US and Asia, Magen has worked with conductors Michael Tilson Thomas, Kent Nagano, and Helmuth Rilling, among others, and has taught at USC. Recently appointed Artistic Director of the Stockton Chorale and Master Chorale, she directed the Oakland Symphony Chorus from 1992-2004.

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