American Composers: A Journey - April 2015

Chromatica, a regional chorus recently dubbed “the undiscovered musical jewel of the East Bay”, will perform three concerts of music by American composers in April in Dublin, Danville and Clayton Valley. Dates, locations and addresses are: April 13 at 7 pm at Resurrection Lutheran Church in Dublin at 7557 Amador Valley Boulevard, Dublin, April 18 at 7pm at Peace Lutheran Church, 3301 Camino Tassajara, Danville (a reception follows this concert) and April 19 at 7pm at Clayton Valley Presbyterian Church, 1578 Kirker Pass Road, Clayton.

Building on its tradition of innovative and compelling programs, the American Composers Journey will include works as early as the 19th century Stephen Foster's “Come where my love lies dreaming” to Dominic Argento's haunting “Dover Beach Revisited”. Morton Lauridsen's “Nocturnes” is a recognized masterwork in modern American choral music, including four pieces in French, Spanish and English, while Rene Clausen's “Jabberwocky” is an idiosyncratic and beguiling piece based upon the Lewis Carroll poem. Chromatica will also perform Clausen's “One if by land, Two if by sea”, a tribute to Paul Revere's ride. Eric Whitacre's hilarious Ogden Nash settings called “Animal Crackers” will have audiences laughing while Frank Ticheli's “Earth Song” is a touching and heartfelt tribute to singing. The program also includes Moses Hogan's classic (and rollicking) spiritual “My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord” among other pieces.