Internationally Renowned "Orchestra of Voices" Celebrates Holiday Season with Renaissance Selections and Spirituals

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2005, AT 8 PM

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association’s Deck the Hall holiday celebration continues at Walt Disney Concert Hall on Tuesday, December 20, at 8 p.m., with three-time Grammy winners Chanticleer, the only full-time a capella classical vocal ensemble in the United States. The evening’s repertoire features selections from the Renaissance era and powerful spirituals, as well as seasonal works from previous Chanticleer recordings.

Among the works Chanticleer performs are an English composition from the 15th century entitled “There is no rose,” the 16th century Basque piece “E la don don,” and the 17th century Portugese selection “Sa aqui turo zente pleta.” With its seamless blend of 12 male voices, the internationally renowned vocal ensemble has developed a remarkable reputation over its 27-year history for its interpretation of vocal literature in a range of styles, including medieval, jazz and venturesome new music.

Whether offering comfort and joy, camaraderie and a good laugh, or ringing in 2006, the yuletide spirit fills Walt Disney Concert Hall with Deck the Hall, a two-week schedule of festive concert events offering an array of artists bringing their personal touch to the season. Other Deck the Hall concerts include: The Manhattan Transfer Christmas on December 21; Lila Downs, Calexico and Mariachi Luz de Luna on December 22; Go Tell It on the Mountain: The Blind Boys of Alabama Christmas Show on December 23; and New Year’s Eve with Big Bad Voodoo Daddy.

Hailed by the New Yorker magazine as "the world's reigning male chorus," and praised by the Los Angeles Times for its "luxurious perfection," the Grammy Award-winning vocal ensemble CHANTICLEER performs over 75 concerts in 28 states across the United States, including a 26-concert Bay Area season that includes world and North American premieres. 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 features arrangements by Music Director Joseph Jennings and additional vocals by guest artist Bishop Yvette Flunder.

Chanticleer has developed a remarkable reputation for its vivid interpretations of vocal literature, from Renaissance to jazz, and from gospel to venturesome new music. With its seamless blend of twelve male voices, ranging from countertenor to bass, the ensemble has earned international renown as "an orchestra of voices." Since 1994, Chanticleer has been recording exclusively for Teldec Classics International, making the group's recordings available worldwide. The ensemble's catalog includes Colors of Love, which won the Grammy Award for Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor) and the Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award for Best Classical Album. The world-premiere recording of Sir John Tavener's Lamentations and Praises was released in January 2002 to high praise, and garnered two Grammy awards, for Classical Best Small Ensemble Performance (with or without Conductor) and for Best Classical Contemporary Composition. With the help of individual contributions and foundation and corporate support, the group brings the gift of singing to young people by conducting artist-in-the-schools residencies and Chanticleer Youth Choral Festivals. In addition to extensive Bay Area educational activities, the ensemble conducts master classes while on tour. Chanticleer's long-standing commitment to developing the choral repertoire has led the group to commission works from an ever-growing list of important composers. Past commissions include works by Mark Adamo, Chen Yi, Régis Campo, David Conte, Brent Michael Davids, Anthony Davis, Guido López-Gavilán, William Hawley, Jake Heggie, Jackson Hill, Jeeyoung Kim, Tania León, Jaakko Mäntyjärvi, John Musto, Bernard Rands, Steven Sametz, Carlos Sanchez-Guttierez, Paul Schoenfield, Steven Stucky, Sir John Tavener, and Augusta Read Thomas. Named for the "clear-singing" rooster in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, Chanticleer was founded in 1978 by tenor Louis Botto, who sang with the group until 1989 and served as Artistic Director until his death in 1997. In 1999, Christine Bullin joined Chanticleer as President & General Director. Music Director Joseph Jennings joined the ensemble as a countertenor in 1983, and shortly thereafter assumed his current title. A prolific composer and arranger, Jennings has provided the group with some of its most popular repertoire, most notably spirituals, gospel music, and jazz standards. Chanticleer is the recipient of major grants from The National Endowment for the Arts, The Ann and Gordon Getty Foundation, The Richard and Rhoda Goldman Fund, The Walter and Elise Haas Fund, The William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, The James Irvine Foundation, The Jordan Family Fund, The Bernard Osher Foundation, and the Grants for the Arts/San Francisco Hotel Tax Fund. Chanticleer's activities as a not-for-profit corporation are supported by its administrative staff and Board of Trustees. For updated concert information and further details, please see Chanticleer's website, www.chanticleer.org.

The Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, under Music Director Esa-Pekka Salonen, presents the finest in orchestral and chamber music, recitals, new music, jazz, world music and holiday concerts at two of the most remarkable places anywhere to experience music — Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Hollywood Bowl. In addition to a 30-week winter subscription season at Walt Disney Concert Hall, the LA Phil presents a 12-week summer festival at the legendary Hollywood Bowl, summer home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic and home of the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra. In fulfilling its commitment to the community, the Association’s involvement with Los Angeles extends to educational programs, community concerts and children's programming, ever seeking to provide inspiration and delight to the broadest possible audience.

EDITORS PLEASE NOTE:

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 20, 2005 at 8 PM

WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL, 111 S. Grand Avenue, Los Angeles

A Chanticleer Christmas

CHANTICLEER

PLAINSONG Hodie Christus natus est

BYRD Hodie Christus natus est

PLAINSONG Alma redemptoris mater

DE VICTORIA Alma redemptoris mater

ANONYMOUS E la don don (16th century Basque)

ANONYMOUS There is no rose (15th century English)

ANONYMOUS Sa aqui turo zente pleta (17th century Portuguese)

PÄRT Bogoróditsye Dyévo

CUI Magnificat, Op. 93

THIMAN A Babe is Born in Bethlehem

HEDGES A Manger Carol

TRADITIONAL/English, arr. David Willcocks The First Nowell

TRADITIONAL HURON MELODY/arr. Jennings Huron Carol

TRADITIONAL, arr. Jennings Mary and the Baby Medley:

       Maria wanders through the thorn

       What Child Is This?

       Mary and the Baby, sweet Lamb

       Jerusalem in the morning

Tickets ($22-$67) 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. 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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