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NEWS RELEASE
Contact: David West (west@nsula.edu
)
News Bureau
Northwestern State University
Natchitoches, LA 71497
(318) 357-6466
4/27/2004
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
NATCHITOCHES- The Natchitoches Northwestern Symphony Orchestra, NSU Chamber Choir and NSU Concert Choir will perform a combined concert Thursday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in Magale Recital Hall. Dr. Charles Demuynck will conduct the combined orchestra and choir. The choirs are directed by Dr. Burt Allen.
The orchestra will perform Beethoven's "Overture to 'Coriolanus.''' The combined choirs and orchestra will perform "Gesang des Parzen (Song of the Fates" by Johannes Brahms with text by J.W. von Gothe and "Magnificat" by Bach.
"We look forward to do the combined work with the orchestra each year," said Allen. "It is a chance to do a great work of classical literature."
The program contrasts two dramatic works in the first half with the inspiring "Magnificat' in the second half.
"Bach's 'Magnificat' is from the Book of Luke and is an exciting piece. It is very accessible, spiritual and uplifting," said Demuynck.
The work will feature five soloists, sopranos Phyllis Seigler and Terrie Sanders, mezzo-soprano Kyle Engler, tenor Michael Rorex and bass Eric Engelhardt. Seigler, Sanders and Rorex are NSU faculty. Engelhardt is a Northwestern alumnus. Engler, a faculty member at McDaniel College, has performed with the opera and has presented two recitals at NSU.
"Bach's 'Magnificat' is a very challenging work," said Allen. "One must have great physical endurance to sing with the energy level required of one of the great works."
Beethoven's "Overture to 'Coriolanus''' is based on a work by Shakespeare. In the play, Coriolanus is forced to make a terrible choice between his family and his country.
"It is a powerful drama, an extremely emotional work," said Demuynck. "It has a lot of powerful, driving rhythms and is a very exciting piece."
"Gesang des Parzen" is based on Greek mythology in which the fickle gods decide the fates.
"The text is very fatalistic and deals with the arbitrary nature of fate," said Demuynck, who will be conducting his final concert at Northwestern. "The orchestration is wonderful and extremely expressive. There is a great deal of energy when the choir and orchestra get together."