BWW Previews: MYSTICAL NIGHT by Philomusica in North Brunswick

Philomusica Concert Choir's December 2014 concert set, "Mystical Night", will be performed at Our Lady of Peace Church, 1740 Route 130 N., North Brunswick, NJ on Saturday December 6th at 8 pm, and on Sunday, December 7th at 4 pm.

Philomusica, founded in 1969, is an auditioned choir of over 30 voices committed to excellence in choral sound, performance and musicianship. Under the direction of Dennis Boyle, the ensemble's repertoire ranges from early sacred music to the great classical composers to the choral works of the 20th century. Philomusica presents two sets of concerts annually in the greater Middlesex County area.

The first half of this concert transports the audience into an ethereal and mystical place, beginning with three pieces based on the ancient "O Magnum Mysterium" text. The first by Tomas Luis de Victoria creates an atmosphere of mystery and devotion; the second by the American composer, William Hawley, alternates restrained, chant-like passages with very emotional and passionate sections, and the third by Francis Poulenc closes the section with gorgeous and unusual (mystical) harmonies.

The featured piece, Tomas Luis de Victoria's "Missa O Magnum Mysterium", is an example of the genre know as a Parody Mass. That is, a Mass based on a pre-existing piece of polyphonic, or multi-voiced, music: in this case, based on the motet that began the concert. The Mass unfolds from the beginning "Kyrie" three-fold prayer for mercy to the concluding "Agnus Dei"s prayer for mercy and peace, with the Latin texts, abrupt alternations of major and minor, and open harmonies, combining to give a sound that is, to our 21st century ears, outside of time.

The second half of the concert brings the audience back down to earth through the reality of the circumstances surrounding Christ's birth. "Christmas Eve", by the American Composer Daniel Pinkham, pictures a snowy, cold night, and the effect that would have on the homeless, lost, or those shivering in a stable. The British composer Bob Chilcott continues in the same vein in "Mid-Winter", and considers what gifts shepherds, kings, and ordinary folk might offer. Pinkham's "The Kings and the Shepherds", describes these characters in greater detail.

The Three Carols, composed by Peter Warlock, vary from wonderful syncopations of "Tyrley Tyrlow", to the haunting harmonies of "Balulalow", and the folk-like melody and rhythmically tricky accompaniment of "The Sycamore Tree" to bring this collection to a joyous close. To conclude this concert, we hope that the final three familiar carols will inspire the audience to raise voices with Philomusica to fill the performance space with a joyful noise!

General Tickets: $20 Adult; $15 Seniors/Students: $10 children under 13. Discount of $2 on tickets bought in advance. Group discounts.

For further information or tickets call 888-744-5668, or email info@philomusica.org. Visit our Website at www.philomusica.org.

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