Classical Music at Woodmere
Classical Music at Woodmere
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Drawing on three themes and titles from Barbara Bullocks' artwork, this program features the human voice singing texts that amplify or comment on titles of various artworks. The first theme, "Stories my Grandmother Told Me," is a collection of works including Nigerian folksongs, songs about intergenerational connectedness and community, and texts drawn from Pennsylvania Dutch samplers. The second theme, "Most Precious Blood," features music that speaks to police violence towards Black men as well as the Christian concept of the sacredness of Jesus's blood. Finally, in "Spirit House", we explore themes of the afterlife, spirits, ancestors, and housing security.
The choir at St. Thomas, Whitemarsh consists of trained choral singers and volunteers who love singing. They have an equal commitment to musical excellence and caring community, and we believe that those two concepts reinforce each other. They sing a wide spectrum of music: ninth century chants to works composed this year; music from the Black Church tradition and music from English cathedrals, and everything in between. The choir was recently invited to sing at St. Thomas' Fifth Avenue in NYC.
Finnish American virtuoso pianist Marja Kaisla returns to Woodmere Art Museum with two back to back concerts on January 19 and 20, 2024.
On Friday, Ms. Kaisla and chamber partners, violinist, Paul Arnold, and cellist Ovidiu Marinescu perform Ludwig van Beethoven's exhilarating "Piano Trio E flat Major op.1#1," first performed in 1795 in the house of Prince Lichnowsky, to whom it is dedicated. The program continues with the trio performing one of Antonin Dvořák's best-known compositions, “Dumky” Trio, an emotionally compelling work.
Born in Helsinki, Finland, Marja Kaisla is an avid chamber musician, recitalist and orchestra soloist who has performed extensively in Europe and the United States, having had her Carnegie Hall debut in 2005. Among her many accomplishments, Ms. Kaisla co-founded the Philadelphia Foundation for World Music and Arts, an advocacy organization promoting the arts and social harmony.
The second night of "Marja Kaisla and Friends" features the music of Robert Schumann. Ms. Kaisla will collaborate with baritone Randall Scarlata, who received a Grammy award for his recording of Schubert a few years ago, to perform the gorgeous song cycle, Schumann's "Dichterliebe", ("A Poet's Love"). Ms. Kaisla will continue the program with the lightness and grace of Schumann's "Arabesque" and the passionate "Fantasie op.17."
Born in Helsinki, Finland, Kaisla is an avid chamber musician, recitalist and orchestra soloist who has performed extensively in Europe and the United States, having had her Carnegie Hall debut in 2005.