Category Archives: Chorus

Coming Up: Missa solemnis, Take 2

Posted on May 9, 2013 by Michael

My final subscription concerts of the season with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus are happening this weekend. Michael Tilson Thomas will conduct us in Beethoven’s Missa solemnis. It has been such a joy to come back to this piece and be able to take it to the next level. Continue reading →

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A Musical April – Beethoven, Handel, Musikmesse

Posted on April 6, 2013 by Michael

April is turning into a very musical month. First, a marvelous San Francisco Symphony program of Handel and Mozart. On Tuesday, the release of the first recording I’ve made with the Chorus: Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9. The next day, Musikmesse begins in Frankfurt. Continue reading →

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Coming Up: Dutoit Conducts Poulenc and Berlioz

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Michael

We have a great program coming up with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus! Maestro Charles Dutoit will be conducting two wonderful French choral works: Poulenc’s Stabat Mater and Berlioz’s Te Deum. Continue reading →

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A Chorister’s Preview of SFS Season 101

Posted on September 15, 2012 by Michael

I’m looking forward to our first San Francisco Symphony Chorus rehearsal on Tuesday with our director Ragnar Bohlin. The Symphony’s 101st season offers a different set of delights for the singers from last year’s landmark centennial season. Continue reading →

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The End of the Centennial Season

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Michael

Saturday night was the last concert of the amazing San Francisco Symphony centennial season. This program was a great one for the chorus: Ligeti’s a cappella Lux aeterna, Schoenberg’s A Survivor from Warsaw, and Beethoven’s Ninth. Continue reading →

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California Bach Society – Handel Anthems

Posted on April 28, 2012 by Michael

I’ve been meaning to check out one of the California Bach Society’s concerts ever since hearing about the great work that Paul Flight was doing with the group. Tonight we heard a delightful program of Handel Anthems. Continue reading →

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Great Moments in Sight Reading, Part 1

Posted on March 28, 2012 by Michael

Today was the first chorus rehearsal for West Bay Opera’s production of Aida. We were sight reading through all the choral portions in the opera, and naturally we spent a lot of time in Act II. Turn to page 157 and all heck breaks loose. Continue reading →

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Coming Up: Mason Bates’ Mass Transmission

Posted on March 14, 2012 by Michael

Before we launch Mass Transmission into the world tomorrow evening, I’d like to reflect on some of the musical aspects that I love about both this piece and other works by Mason Bates. Continue reading →

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