The Dessoff Choirs Announces its 2018-19 Season, Dessoff Sings Whitman
By: Macon Prickett Apr. 30, 2018
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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