Vocal Arts Ensemble to present 25th Anniversary Concert
The Vocal Arts Ensemble of Durham celebrates the 25th anniversary of its founding with a concert originally scheduled for June 2020. The 32-voice choir will be performing recent compositions plus works from the past 50 years or so, in a variety of traditions and styles. The world premiere of composer Daniel Elder’s “I Love You,” commissioned for VAE’s anniversary, will be performed, along with Eric Whitacre’s ebullient “I thank you God for most this amazing day,” Jake Runestad’s highly dramatic “Why the caged bird sings,” Margaret Bonds’ jazz-style “St. Francis’ Prayer,” a Ukrainian liturgical lament, and more. The concert will last about 70 minutes.
Repertoire to include:
- Eric Whitacre: I thank you God
- Mark Kilstofte: Enfold us
- Gerald Finzi: My spirit sang all day
- Philip Stopford: Do not be afraid
- Eleanor Daley: Upon your heart
- Daniel Elder: I love you (WORLD PREMIERE)
- Elaine. Hagenburg: Good night, Love
- Roman Hurko: O Lord, I have cried to thee (Ukrainian)
- Daley: By the waters of Babylon
- Kim André Arnesen: Flight song
- Jake Runestad: Why the caged bird sings
- Michael Bussewitz-Quarm: Nigra sum
- Undine Smith Moore: We shall walk through the valley in peace
- Margaret Bonds: St. Francis’ Prayer