Concerts at St. James’s will offer ‘refreshment and enrichment’ for the community, with an April 2 concert by the Vienna Boys Choir as the highlight of the 2019 spring season.
Submitted
St. James’s Episcopal Church is pleased to announce the establishment of a new music series, Concerts at St. James’s, under the artistic direction of Vaughn Mauren, organist and choirmaster at St. James’s.
“For many years, St. James’s has presented, or been host to, many fine performing ensembles and solo artists,” said Mauren. “As the number of concerts we offer has increased, and as more nationally- and internationally-known musicians choose to perform at St. James’s, the time seemed right to establish a formal music series.”
The series will present a variety of choral, vocal, and instrumental performances, with a balance of local ensembles, regional performers, and internationally-known artists.
“St. James’s has a long tradition of great music-making, starting with the music that our choir offers during weekly worship, and extending to the concerts to which we invite the whole community,” added The Rev. Robert C. Hooper III, rector at St. James’s. “In an increasingly fractured, fractious, society, music is a powerful means by which to bring people together in a peaceful and meaningful way. We look forward to welcoming music lovers from across the region to St. James’s.”
Upcoming events include a recital by cellist Owen Young (member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) and pianist Alan Murchie (Feb. 24, 4 p.m.); a concert of choral music by Felix Mendelssohn, performed by the Choir of St. James’s Episcopal Church with members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra (March 9, 7 p.m.); the Vienna Boys Choir (April 2, 7 p.m.), and a recital by Vaughn Mauren to re-dedicate the recently rebuilt and enlarged Austin pipe organ at St James’s (May 31, 7 p.m.).
“We are very excited that the Vienna Boys Choir has included West Hartford in their 2019 tour,” said Mauren. “The Vienna Boys Choir gives about 300 concerts per year at locations all over the world, and is in very high demand. This concert at St. James’s is a rare opportunity for music lovers in the Greater Hartford region to hear one of the finest boys choirs in the world.”
All events take place in the spacious, accessible sanctuary at St. James’s, where the vibrant acoustic, the Steinway A grand piano that has been called “the new best piano in town,” and the newly restored and re-voiced three-manual 1962/2018 Austin Organ make St. James’s an in-demand performance space for local ensembles.
“Everyone loves performing here – singers, pianists, choral groups, chamber ,and orchestral ensembles,” added Mauren. “The acoustic is marvelous for both voices and instruments. The sound fills the space and creates a memorable listening experience for the audience.”
Most of the events take place in late afternoon or early evening, and with plenty of free parking nearby and many fine restaurants just a few steps away in West Hartford Center, it’s easy to enjoy a meal before or after taking in a concert.
Concerts at St. James’s Spring 2019 schedule:
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2019, 4 p.m. – Cellist Owen Young (member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra) and pianist Alan Murchie in recital. Works by Brahms, Mendelssohn, Ravel, and Saint-Saëns. Tickets: $20 adults, $10 seniors and students, available at the door.
Saturday, March 9, 2019, 7 p.m. – “Hear My Prayer” – Choral Music of Felix Mendelssohn, performed by the Choir of St James’s Episcopal Church with members of the Hartford Symphony Orchestra. No tickets are required.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019, 7 p.m. – The Vienna Boys Choir in concert – a rare Hartford-area appearance! Tickets are on sale now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/
Friday, May 31, 2019, 7 p.m. – Vaughn Mauren, organist, in recital to re-dedicate the recently rebuilt and enlarged Austin Organ, with a program of “Grand Organ Music of Great Britain.” No tickets are required.
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