Duneland.com > Calendar > May 2010 > Resurrection Symphony to conclude Chapel anniversary

Resurrection Symphony to conclude Chapel anniversary

Sunday, May 2, 2010 • 3 pm

Valparaiso University Chapel of the Resurrection

A combined chorus and orchestra of more than 200 student, faculty, alumni and guest musicians will perform Gustav Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony during a May 2 concert that concludes a yearlong celebration of Valparaiso University’s Chapel of the Resurrection and its 50th anniversary.

Mahler’s vision of the beauty of eternity is brought to life in his “Resurrection” Symphony (No. 2) as the composer examines the Last Judgment, redemption and resurrection in one of the most majestic musical works of the Romantic era.

The Sunday concert will begin at 3 p.m. in the Chapel of the Resurrection, and tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for seniors and students. Tickets may be purchased by calling Valpo’s Box Office at (219) 464-5162 or online at http://www.valpo.edu/vuca/tickets.

Dr. Dennis Friesen-Carper, Reddel professor of music, will conduct the combined ensemble and says that Mahler’s symphony portrays a tremendous range of emotion in this work, from abject terror to transcendent joy.

“The Symphony opens with a cataclysmic confrontation with death, gives way to interludes of sublime, folk-like melody, dance and even humor, but then concludes with soloists, choir, offstage brass, full organ and orchestra celebrating the glory of resurrection,” Dr. Friesen-Carper said. “Mahler’s vision of the triumph of life over death, and the soul’s return to God is magnificently expressed in his ‘Resurrection’ Symphony. It makes this one of the most exceptionally life-affirming pieces of music ever written.”

Several Valpo student ensembles will participate in the performance, including the Valpo Symphony Orchestra, Chorale, Kantorei, Men’s and Women’s Choirs, and members of the Chamber Concert Band who will perform offstage portions of the symphony. Dozens of Valpo alumni and community musicians also will join the combined orchestra and chorus.

Soloists are soprano Maura Janton Cock, adjunct instructor in music, and mezzo-soprano Ursula Kuhar, adjunct instructor and doctoral student at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music.

The May 2 concert will take place a few days before the 150th anniversary of Mahler’s birth.

“Mahler was a pivotal figure at the turn of the 20th century who elevated the performance of both the Vienna State Opera and New York Philharmonic as their conductor. His symphonies, however, did not really pass into the standard repertoire until they were championed by Leonard Bernstein and others in the 1960s,” Dr. Friesen-Carper said. “In his ‘Resurrection’ Symphony, Mahler appropriated the organ and church bells to emphasize the sacred nature of his subject for concertgoers. Our performance will bring this inspiring concert work into a sacred space which has focused the attention of the University and Northwest Indiana community on the resurrection for 50 years.”

Prior to the concert, a 10 a.m. outdoor worship service will celebrate the Chapel’s 50th anniversary. The service will take place at Resurrection Meadow, immediately south of the Chapel, and all are welcome to attend.

Rev. Joseph Cunningham, University pastor, said that the May 2 worship service and concert will be a fitting conclusion to the yearlong anniversary celebration for the Chapel, which has served as a center for worship, service, leadership and reconciliation among members of the campus community during the past five decades.

“The community has a wonderful opportunity on May 2 to give thanks for a remarkable building that has been the place of worship and venue for extraordinary events during the past 50 years,” Rev. Cunningham said. “It will be an ideal time to reflect on how integral this Chapel is to the University, emblematic of its faith and relationship to academics.”

Mahler’s “Resurrection” Symphony is the final concert in Valpo’s Choral Concert Series, a series of performances providing music lovers from Northwest Indiana, Chicagoland and Southwest Michigan an opportunity to hear some of the world’s finest choral groups and music.