Putnam_ChoraleThe Putnam Chorale announces its 2010 spring season with BACH B MINOR MASS. The Chorale will perform with guest soloists and a professional orchestra under the direction of Douglas Anderson.

This seasons main performances are scheduled for: Friday, April 30, 2010 at 8pm at the United Methodist Church located at 300 Main Street in Mt. Kisco, NY and Sunday, May 2, 2010, 3pm at the Temple Beth Elohim located at 31 Mt. Ebo Road North in Brewster, NY. Tickets are $15 for adults, $12 for students and seniors, and children under 12 are free. For more information please call, 845-279-7265 or visit their website at http://www.putnamchorale.org.

The Mass in B Minor is widely regarded as one of the supreme achievements of classical music. Alberto Basso summarizes the work as follows: “The Mass in B minor is the consecration of a whole life: started in 1733 for ‘diplomatic’ reasons, it was finished in the very last years of Bach’s life, when he had already gone blind. This monumental work is a synthesis of every stylistic and technical contribution the Cantor of Leipzig made to music. But it is also the most astounding spiritual encounter between the worlds of Catholic glorification and the Lutheran cult of the cross.”

Scholars have suggested that the Mass in B Minor belongs in the same category as the Art of Fugue, as a summation of Bach’s deep lifelong involvement with musical tradition – in this case, with choral settings and theology. Bach scholar Christoph Wolff describes the work as representing “a summary of his writing for voice, not only in its variety of styles, compositional devices, and range of sonorities, but also in its high level of technical polish…Bach’s mighty setting preserved the musical and artistic creed of its creator for posterity.” The Mass was described in the 19th century by Hans Georg Nageli as “The Greatest Artwork of All Times and All People.”

The mission of The Putnam Chorale, a non-profit 501 (c)(3) organization, is to provide the community with the experience of enjoying well performed classical and popular choral music, either in a concert environment or through outreach such as nursing homes, libraries, or community events and to provide an opportunity for area residents to learn the techniques of choral singing and attain the skill and discipline of concert performance. The Chorale also welcomes tax deductible donations, contributions and sponsorships from those wishing to help us promote our mission in Putnam County. More information can be found on the Chorales Web site, www.putnamchorale.org.

When shopping, access Amazon.com through the Putnam Chorale’s site — it doesn’t cost you no more, but they will get a small referral commission to help them in their work.

PutnamChorale_bach