March 5, 2021 - Virtual Concert Series Newsletter

This week’s virtual concert features the Rose Ensemble. After a short behind the scene’s video, we continue with three pieces of early American music. First comes the Shaker Hymn (1875), “Christmas Eve,” followed by a performance of “The Sweet By and By” at the National Gallery of Art, and then EUROCLYDON by William Billings (1746-1800).

More about the composers and performances is found in the full letter, as well as the story of the euroclydon! At a cathedral in Provence, the Rose Ensemble performs a setting of the Magnificat by William Mundy (ca.1528-ca.1591). Our concert ends with three pieces appropriate for the current season of Lent. First come the world premieres of two pieces by William Beckstrand (b. 1962), which were commissioned by the Rose Ensemble. We hear “Communio: Lux Aeterna,” followed by “The Dream of the Rood.” Finally we hear “Selig sind die Toten” (Blessed are the dead) by Heinrich Schutz (1585-1672).