Last Words
You might not expect to read or hear the words “outrageous joy” to describe memorial music, but that is just one of the treasures to be discovered in the Sanford Dole Ensemble’s next concert. “Last Words: Modern Music of Remembrance,” will be performed on Sunday, March 28, at 5:00 p.m. at St. Gregory of Nyssa Church in San Francisco.
The 90-minute program is anchored by James MacMillan’s Seven Last Words from the Cross. It is complemented by the Berliner Messe by Arvo Pärt and Tarik O’Reagan’s Triptych. These works are variously pensive, anguished, breathtaking and joyful.
When the daily news bombards us with scenes of violence and devastation, this program seeks to acknowledge and grieve the inhumanity of man, as well as those we have each loved and lost. The ecstatic conclusion of the program offers hope that will send the audience out into the world with renewed faith.
The Sanford Dole Ensemble is a flexible group of professional musicians, tailored to fit each concert repertoire. For “Last Words” there is a chorus of 24, accompanied by 15 strings; Joseph Edelberg, concertmaster.
Call for scores
Composers are invited to send scores, along with a midi realization or recorded performance, for possible performance by the Sanford Dole Ensemble.
We are always looking for new works scored for the combination of voices and instruments. This can be solo songs accompanied by one or more instruments, chamber choir with small instrumental forces, such as a trio or quartet, all the way up to full-scale choral/orchestral works.
In particular we are working on programming future concerts that include:
- Chamber choir with solo obbligato instrument
- Chamber choir with string quartet
- Larger choir with jazz band, including saxophones
- Any works with texts relating to the Holocaust
- Works for multiple pianos (up to four) and percussion
- Edgy and/or experimental works
To discuss your work or to ask any other questions please email us.
Electronic transmissions of scores are welcome. I run Sibelius 5 as well as Finale 2003. PDFs of scores along with MP3s work as well. Or, send hard copy scores and CD's (either of a performance or a midi realization) to:
Sanford Dole Ensemble
564 Elizabeth St.
San Francisco, CA 94114