Sacred Music in a Sacred Space Announces 18-19 Season

For three decades, Sacred Music in a Sacred Space (SMSS) has been a timeless retreat from the quotidian into a world of rarefied depth of beauty, featuring the finest sacred choral and organ repertoire spanning over 1,000 years of music history, all within the architecturally stunning Manhattan landmark Church of St. Ignatius Loyola (980 Park Avenue). The 18-19 Season exemplifies this longstanding mission with the ethereal voices of some of the world's most beloved choral groups. On November 12, the Estonian Philharmonic Chamber Choir, joined by the Tallinn Chamber Orchestra, performs a fulsome evening of the mystical musics of Estonian composer Arvo Pärt-a co-production with the Arvo Pärt Project at St. Vladimir's Seminary (Yonkers, NY). On November 30 and December 2, legendary all-male vocal ensemble Chanticleer ushers in the holiday season with "A Chanticleer Christmas," tracing the biblical Wise Men on their trek to the nativity with a pan-stylistic tour of the repertoire's deeper corners, exploring spirituals, chant, carols, and gospel along the path. Distinguished all-female nonet Lorelei Ensemble reflects on the cycle of human life during the Lenten season of rebirth in the April 14 program "So We Must Make the Journey."

New York-based ensemble Imani Winds, "a quintet of skilled and spirited musicians" (Washington Post) joins forces with the Harlem String Quartet and poet A.B. Spellman on February 8 for the New York premiere of "Passion for Bach and Coltrane," which speculates a meeting between the two legendary composers. In the spirit of bringing community together, SMSS presents two Caritas Concerts with proceeds benefitting local nonprofit organizations. Caritas performances include vocalist Danya Katok and pianist Michael Sheetz in "I Wish It So" on September 26, a cabaret journey into motherhood, as well as pianist Mark Markham performing music by Schumann, Poulenc and others for "Songs Without Words" on March 21.

The resident Choir St. Ignatius Loyola, "positively thrilling" (New York Times) under the direction of Artistic Director K. Scott Warren, first perform in the 18-19 Season with "Serenade to Music" on October 17, featuring masterpieces of Howells, Walton, Vaughan Williams and others with organist Daniel Beckwith at the city's largest mechanical action pipe organ. SMSS's annual Christmas concerts are "part of the essence of Christmas in New York" (New York Times) and on December 9 and 16, revelers and choirs come together in song and merriment for Glad Tidings!, a program of popular carols and holiday classics. On February 24, the choir performs the Brahms Requiem and Mendelssohn Motets, building to the May 22 performance of Handel's Dixit Dominus-the earliest work to bear the composer's signature-and Haydn's last masterwork, Harmoniesse.

A trio of organ recitals will showcase the dominance and dynamism of St. Ignatius Loyola's towering N.P. Mander Organ, beginning with Jennifer Pascual, Director of Music at St. Patrick's Cathedral, on October 28. Renée Anne Louprette, former Associate Director of Music at St. Ignatius Loyola hailed as "splendid" and "one of New York's finest organists" (New York Times), joins Ivan Goff for a program combining the pipe organ with uilleann pipes and Irish concert flute on January 20. Organist Stephen Tharp, "one of the most brilliant concert organists around" (Dallas Morning News), concludes the recital series on March 3.

The complete season listing is provided below. For additional information on Sacred Music in a Sacred Space visit www.smssconcerts.org or call 212-288-2520.

About Sacred Music in a Sacred Space

Sacred Music in a Sacred Space at the Church of St. Ignatius Loyola in New York City is committed to presenting the finest sacred choral and organ repertoire spanning over 1,000 years of music history. Known for their artistic excellence, the renowned Choir and Orchestra of St. Ignatius Loyola present exhilarating performances of large-scale choral masterpieces as well as more intimate and reflective settings by lesser-known composers. Internationally acclaimed organists may also frequently be heard on the Church's magnificent N.P. Mander Pipe Organ, the largest tracker organ in New York City.