Brahms: Ein deutsches Requiem: April 6
April 6th – 8:00pm – Ophelia Parrish Performance Hall – Cantoria – University Chorus – Voci – University Orchestra – Guest soloists
Brahms: A German Requiem
Ein deutsches Requiem, Op. 45 (A German Requiem) by Johannes Brahms, is a large-scale work for chorus, orchestra, a soprano and a baritone soloist, composed between 1865 and 1868. It comprises seven movements which last about 80 minutes, making this work Brahms’s longest composition.
Unlike the liturgical Latin Requiem, Brahms (himself) compiled a series of non-liturgical sacred texts; and, as the title suggests, he composed his A German Requiem in the German language. Also unlike the Latin Requiem which focuses on the soul of the departed, Brahms focuses on those who have been left behind, beginning with the text “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted” from the Beatitudes. Brahms balances anxious sounds–primarily diminished chords–with warm, comforting, and uplifting melodies.
While the solo parts are critical and provide unique colors to the Requiem, the choir is Brahms primary vehicle for expression in this work. His choral writing, while demanding for the singers, displays Brahms’ deep understand of choral composition. The orchestral writing, while more restrained than in his other instrumental compositions, provides at turns critical support and dialogue with the choir, resulting in one of the great masterpieces in the choral-orchestral repertoire.
Catherine Compton
Soprano Soloist
She was a winner of the Denver Lyric Opera Guild Competition in 2011. Catherine was a Fulbright fellow in Leipzig, Germany, where she sang with the Leipzig Bach Festival, Mendelssohn Haus Museum, and Gewandhaus zu Leipzig as well as the Haus der Kulturen der Welt and Fulbright Kommission in Berlin.
Dr. Jeffrey Seppala
Bass Soloist
B.M., Biola University; M.M., University of North Carolina School of the Arts; D.M.A., University of Colorado in Boulder
Jeffrey Seppala possesses a colorful bass- baritone voice complimented by his engaging acting. He has performed around the country with companies such as Central City Opera, Opera Colorado, Tri-Cities Opera, Delaware Valley Opera, A.J. Fletcher Opera, CU New Opera Workshop, as well as internationally with the Piccolo Festival in Friuli, Italy. Recent operatic roles and concert appearances include the title role of Verdi’s Falstsaff, Don Magnifico in La Cenerentola, and solos in Rossini’s Stabat Mater, Durufle’s Requiem, and Mendelssohn’s Elijah. He honed his craft by earning a Bachelor of Music degree from Biola University, a Masters in Music degree from the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, and a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in Voice Performance and Pedagogy at the University of Colorado in Boulder. Equally convincing in traditional and contemporary repertoire, Jeffrey Seppala imbues each performance with deep connection and moving musicality. With an equal love for singing and teaching, Dr. Seppala enjoys teaching voice at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri.
Cantoria:
Truman’s premiere choir performs a wide range of repertoire, with
special emphasis on a capella works and major choral works with
orchestra. Director Mark Jennings focuses on finding the right musical
and vocal way to sing and perform each piece, bringing special
attention to the stylistic integrity of the music. About sixty-percent
of Cantoria’s 54 members are music majors, with all levels (freshman
through graduate students) represented.
The choir goes on a short tour each spring, primarily within Missouri,
and on international tours every three years. Recent international
tours have included Italy and Greece; Ireland; Hungary, Austria and
Germany; and Finland, Latvia, and Estonia.
Cantoria has received many honors, including invitations to perform at Missouri Music Educators Association (MMEA) state conventions and at regional conventions of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) and Music Educators National Conference (MENC).
University Chorus:
Students and faculty from many disciplines across campus comprise this
large ensemble. The choir performs a major choral work each spring,
usually accompanied by an orchestra. Works recently performed include
Faure’s Requiem, Haydn’s The Creation, Mozart’s Requiem, and Carl
Orff’s Carmina Burana.
University Orchestra:
The Truman State University Symphony Orchestra comprises 80 student
musicians performing 6-7 times annually on campus and touring the
region each fall semester. The also orchestra performs on New Music
Festival concerts with Truman choral ensembles in major works for
chorus and orchestra, and accompanies student soloists on the annual
Gold Medal concert. The Missouri Music Educators Association has three
times invited the group as its featured orchestra convention in Osage
Beach. Members also tour internationally every other May to such
places as Italy, France, Austria and the Czech Republic