12-Man Vocal Ensemble Celebrates Season with Medieval and Renaissance Sacred Works and Caroling Favorites

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21, AT 8 PM

A cappella vocal ensemble Chanticleer returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall for its second straight year for a holiday-inspired performance on Tuesday, December 21, at 8 p.m. The Grammy Award-winning group continues the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association's "Deck The Hall" holiday concert series with a selection of medieval and Renaissance sacred works, moving spirituals, and graceful arrangements of traditional carols.

With its seamless blend of twelve male voices, Chanticleer has earned international renown as "an orchestra of voices." The varied program highlights the range of talents within the vocal group interweaving religious themed plainsongs, motets, and hymns from the 11th to 20th centuries, including works by Estonian, Russian, British, and French composers plus an Armenian monk. The second half features traditional tunes and songs with a medley of favorite carols closing the program.

This concert is the sixth of nine diverse holiday programs presented by the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association in its "Deck the Hall" series, highlighting all types of seasonal celebrations. The series continues with Latin Christmas featuring Ozomatli, Kinky, and Juana Molina (December 22); The Spirit of the Holidays with Keb' Mo' (December 23), and Pink Martini (December 31).

American classical ensemble CHANTICLEER has a reputation for vivid interpretations of a broad range of vocal literature. Twelve male voices, from countertenor to bass, comprise the group, which performs more than 75 concerts within 28 states during the 2004/2005 season. It has commissioned numerous works from a growing list of composers, performing premieres of music by Mark Adam, Anthony Davis, Jake Heggie, Paul Schoenfield, Steven Stucky, and Augusta Read Thomas. Since 1994, Chanticleer has recorded for Teldec Classics International. The ensemble's 28th CD, How Sweet the Sound: Spirituals and Traditional Gospel Music, debuted in September 2004. The recording is Chanticleer's second full-length gospel recording, and it features arrangements by Music Director Joseph Jennings and additional vocals by guest artist Bishop Yvette Flunder.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 21 AT 8 PM

Walt Disney Concert Hall

111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

A CHANTICLEER CHRISTMAS

JOSEPH JENNINGS, music director

JESSE ANTIN, ERIC S. BRENNER, DYLAN HOSTETTER, TIMOTHY MAGUIRE, CLIFTON MASSEY, sopranos and altos

JUSTIN MONTIGNE, MATTHEW D. OLTMAN, FRASER L. WALTERS, tenors

ERIC ALATORRE, JOHN BISCHOFF, BEN JOHNS, MARK SULLIVAN, baritones and basses

PLAINSONG Veni, veni Emmanuel

PLAINSONG Corde natus ex Parentis

WADE Adeste Fideles

KOMITAS Bazmutyunq

DE MONTE Hodie nobis coelorum Rex

DE VICTORIA Magi viderunt stellam

ANONYMOUS Nowell

ANONYMOUS Ecce, quod natura

PÄRT Bogoróditsye Dyévo

CUI Magnificat Op. 93

BRITTEN A Hymn to the Virgin

TRADITIONAL/arr. Reginald Jacques/Robin Wells Rejoice and Be Merry

TRADITIONAL/arr. David Willcocks Gabriel's Message


MARIAVISA Kristallen den Fina

ARR. Gunnar Eriksson O Kriste, du some ljuset är

TRADITIONAL Världens Frälsare, kom här

TRADITIONAL ENGLISH/arr. Stainer/Willcocks Good King Wenceslas


ARR. Richard Lloyd/Willcocks See amid the winter's snow

HOLST, arr. Jennings In the Bleak Midwinter

TRADITIONAL, arr. Jennings Christmas Medley

Tickets ($21 - $66) are on sale now at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office, online at LAPhil.com, or via credit card phone order at 323.850.2000. When available, choral bench seats ($15), will be released for sale to selected Philharmonic, Colburn Celebrity Recital, and Baroque Variations performances beginning at noon on the Tuesday of the second week prior to the concert. A limited number of $10 rush tickets for seniors and full time students may be available at the Walt Disney Concert Hall box office two hours prior to the performance. Valid identification is required; one ticket per person; cash only. Groups of 12 or more may be eligible for special discounts for selected concerts and seating areas. For all information, please call 323.850.2000.

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Sabrina Skacan, 213.972.3408; photos: 213.972.3034