The South American classical renaissance made waves in the States when LA Philharmonic maestro Gustavo Dudamel conducted Venezuela’s foremost choral society, Schola Cantorum, last year. Now these 45 divine voices treat Duke Chapel to an invigorating program of 20th-century choral milestones with an emphasis on Latin America.
The preferred ensemble of composers such as John Adams and Osvaldo Golijov — to say nothing of illustrious founder Alberto Grau — Schola Cantorum sings religious, secular, antique, and contemporary music alike with a “robust, flexible sound” (NY Times) and infectious elation. From the luminously sanguine music of Eric Whitacre (creator of the internationally best-selling album Cloudburst) to the tango-inspired confections of Astor Piazzolla, Schola Cantorum celebrates the vibrant diversity of choral music with unrivaled passion.
AGUA Y FIESTA (new as of 09-14-11):
PART I: AGUA
JOSE ANTONIO CALCANO (Venezuela): Evohé
GONZALO CASTELLANOS (Venezuela): Al Mar Anochecido (To the sea in twilight)
ERIC WHITACRE (USA): Cloudburst
OSVALDO GOLIJOV (Argentina): From Oceana — Coral del Arrecife
ALBERTO GRAU (Spain/Venezuela): Binnamma
GONZALO GRAU (Venezuela): From Aqua — Rio Abajo & La Fiesta
PART II: FIESTA
ASTOR PIAZZOLLA (Argentina) From Las Cuatro Estaciones (The Four Seasons) — Primavera Porteña (Spring in Buenos Aires)
BRAZILIAN FOLK SONG: Muié Rendeira (Lacemaker Woman)
GUIDO LOPEZ-GAVILAN (Cuba): Mambo ‘que rico é’ (Mambo, how nice it is)
PEREZ PRADO (Cuba/Venezuela): Cerezo Rosa (cha cha cha)
BILLO FOMETA (Venezuela): Toy Contento
EDGAR ZAPATA (Venezuela): El Menciona’o
CONSUELA ZELAZQUEZ (Mexico): Bésame Mucho
MIGUEL MATAMOROS (Cuba): Son de la Loma (They are from the Hill)
OTILIO GALINDEZ (Venezuela): La Arestinga
RENE BARROS (Cuba): Tengo Una Forma Más (I have another manner)
OCHOA ROJAS (Venezuela): Nuestras Navidades (Our Christmas)