The Dessoff Choirs Announces its 2018-19 Season, Dessoff Sings Whitman

The Dessoff Choirs is an independent chorus based in New York City. Margarete Dessoff established the organization in 1930 as the union of two choirs she directed, the Adesdi chorus and the A Cappella Singers, whence the plural Choirs. Today, the plural connotes Dessoff's various ensembles, which range from the large Dessoff Symphonic Choir, which appears with major orchestras, to the smaller Dessoff Chamber Choir, which performs in more intimate settings.

The performance of new, unusual, or rarely heard works is a central facet of Dessoff's mission. Under Mme. Dessoff's baton, the Dessoff Choirs gave many premieres, including the American premiere of Arnold Schönberg's Friede auf Erden, the first American performance of Orazio Vecchi's L'Amfiparnaso, and the New York premiere of Bach's cantata Christ Lag in Todesbanden. Dessoff's second conductor, Paul Boepple, continued to champion early music, and when he retired after 32 years as musical director, early music had seen its modern renaissance, one in which Dessoff had played a significant role. In 1951, the Dessoff Choirs performed with the New York Wind Ensemble at a special Peabody Mason Concert series commemorating the Paris Bi-Millennial year. During Mr. Boepple's tenure, the Choirs released 13 recordings, and his editions were published by Theodore Presser as the Dessoff Choir Series.

REQUIEM FOR WHITMAN

Sunday, November 11, 2018

The Basilica of St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, Manhattan

HOLIDAYS WITH DESSOFF:

Welcome Yule!

Friday, December 7, 2018

Saint Peter's Church, Manhattan

HOLIDAYS WITH DESSOFF:

Messiah Sing

Saturday, December 8, 2018

Union Theological Seminary, Manhattan

HOLIDAYS WITH DESSOFF:

Welcome Yule!

Sunday, December 9, 2018

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church, Brooklyn

WHITMAN AND THE CIVIL WAR

Saturday, March 9, 2019

Union Theological Seminary, Manhattan

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