Winter’s Grace

Randall Thompson’s FROSTIANA, a five-movement choral work set to the poetry of Robert Frost, has been beloved for decades, thanks to Thompson’s ability to enhance the poetic meaning of the text with his melodies. This is particularly evident in the movements Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening, and Choose Something Like a Star.  In these movements, the unique beauty of winter, the inspirational impact of starlight, and our deep emotional and spiritual connection to our landscape are perfectly captured. The other movements in this collection are diverse in tone and topic, but no less alluring than those two audience and choir favourites. An unusual element of this work are the movements Thompson composed to highlight and celebrate the various sections of the choir singing alone.

A WINTER DAY by Canadian composer Sarah Quartel, is another multi-movement work pairing soaring choral lines with poetry; written by Sara Teasdale, Lucy Maud Montgomery (of Anne of Green Gables fame), and Melville Cane. Each movement paints a scene from a winter’s day, from the quiet darkness before dawn to the evening’s precious fading light, conjuring images of swirling snow and sparkling sunlight. Sarah Quartel is known for her fresh and exciting approach to composing for choirs, music which connects singer to singer, ensemble to conductor, and performer to audience. Sarah’s works are sung by choirs around the world, but this piece has a local connection, as it was commissioned by the Kingston Chamber Choir in 2016, when Quartel was living in the area.

Artistic Director Ian Juby has chosen evocative works to round out this program; exquisite music for Advent by renowned composers from around the world, current and from our distant past. The afternoon begins with O magnum mysterium, in a complex and reverential setting by Tomas Luis de Victoria, composed in1592. The Ave Maria by Franz Biebl is a glorious double choir setting of the familiar text, featuring the KCS Chamber Choir and the larger concert choir. John Tavener’s The Lamb is a setting of Blake’s poem, composed in 1982, and one of his best known works – “music that’s once heard, never forgotten, its delicate radiance realising a rapt timelessness”. (Tom Service) Ola Gjeilo’s heart warming Ecce Novum closes the afternoon – music full of Gjeilo’s trademark luscious harmonies, a sonic blanket on a chilly day.

For this performance, the 80-person mixed voice choir will be accompanied by KCS collaborative pianist Clare Marion on piano and Daphne Kennedy on cello.
Please join the Kingston Choral Society for the first concert in our 2024/25 season, and welcome the coming winter in glorious harmony!