Subscription Concert [6] "Music & Words"
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Sunday, May 5, 2013 - 3:00 PM
Over 160 people are going to take the stage in a performance of one of the most beautiful and well loved compositions of all time, Brahms’ German Requiem. Joining the BSO are two outstanding guest soloists: Edward Huls, baritone, and Jennifer Swanson, soprano. In addition, the beautiful voices of the Bemidji Chorale and the Bemidji State University Choir will also be on stage for this unforgettable performance. |
Edward Huls, a national finalist in the Metropolitan Opera auditions, has appeared with the Chicago Lyric Opera and New York City Opera and made his Carnegie Hall debut with Brahms’ Requiem. He lives in New Jersey.
Jennifer Swanson, a Bemidji native now living in Iowa, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Minnesota, where she was awarded the Schuessler Vocal Fellowship. She was twice a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera auditions.
For the BSO musicians and the community chorale members, this performance will signify an impressive undertaking, as it is a singularly difficult piece of music. In fact, according to BSO Music Director Dr. Beverly Everett, the Brahms’ Requiem represents some of the most demanding music there is. “Brahms writes in a very high range for many instruments, he uses thick textures, and a distinct harmonic language that is very challenging to get ‘just right.’ Our performers will be asked to stretch their artistic boundaries for this one. When we perform works this exceptional and arduous, it’s vitally important to me that we do them in such a way that the deep essence of the music becomes evident, to both the performers and the audience.”
Brahms wrote just four symphonies, and his German Requiem is considered to be one of his most important works. In fact, in the history of music written for symphony and chorus, Brahms’ Requiem is considered to be one of the most influential and important works of all times. According to Dr. Everett, “This piece of music is one of the reasons that I became a conductor at all. It’s just that extraordinary. I have always wanted to conduct Brahms’ Requiem, and this will be my first time to do so.”
The BSO gratefully acknowledges a generous gift from the Lueken Family Foundation that fully funded this concert.
As a special gift to the community, Ed Huls is joined by his wife, award winning mezzo-soprano Eunjoo Lee, to present “An Evening of Song” on Saturday evening, May 4th at 7:00 pm at Calvary Lutheran Church, Dr. Beverly Everett will accompany. Admission is free. Calvary Lutheran Church is located at 2508 Washington Avenue SE, Bemidji.
Jennifer Swanson, a Bemidji native now living in Iowa, is a graduate of the New England Conservatory of Music and the University of Minnesota, where she was awarded the Schuessler Vocal Fellowship. She was twice a regional finalist in the Metropolitan Opera auditions.
For the BSO musicians and the community chorale members, this performance will signify an impressive undertaking, as it is a singularly difficult piece of music. In fact, according to BSO Music Director Dr. Beverly Everett, the Brahms’ Requiem represents some of the most demanding music there is. “Brahms writes in a very high range for many instruments, he uses thick textures, and a distinct harmonic language that is very challenging to get ‘just right.’ Our performers will be asked to stretch their artistic boundaries for this one. When we perform works this exceptional and arduous, it’s vitally important to me that we do them in such a way that the deep essence of the music becomes evident, to both the performers and the audience.”
Brahms wrote just four symphonies, and his German Requiem is considered to be one of his most important works. In fact, in the history of music written for symphony and chorus, Brahms’ Requiem is considered to be one of the most influential and important works of all times. According to Dr. Everett, “This piece of music is one of the reasons that I became a conductor at all. It’s just that extraordinary. I have always wanted to conduct Brahms’ Requiem, and this will be my first time to do so.”
The BSO gratefully acknowledges a generous gift from the Lueken Family Foundation that fully funded this concert.
As a special gift to the community, Ed Huls is joined by his wife, award winning mezzo-soprano Eunjoo Lee, to present “An Evening of Song” on Saturday evening, May 4th at 7:00 pm at Calvary Lutheran Church, Dr. Beverly Everett will accompany. Admission is free. Calvary Lutheran Church is located at 2508 Washington Avenue SE, Bemidji.
All concerts are held at the Bemidji High School Auditorium. Join us after each concert for a brief post-concert conversation with conductor Beverly Everett and BSO's guest artists and composers. All Tickets are for general admission seating. All concerts are at the Bemidji High School Auditorium, 2900 Division Street West, Bemidji, MN. Directions
