ST. GEORGE — Lieto Voices has announced its final concert of the season, “Musicks Empire—A Collection of the Best 20th Century Choral Compositions and Flashes of the Past,” featuring an eclectic mix of choral pieces. The event will be held Wednesday in the St. George Tabernacle on Main Street in St. George.
Highlights of the evening include:
- “Musicks Empire” from Triptych by Lloyd Pfautsch, is based on an Andrew Marvell (1621-1678) poem of the same name, and explores the power of music in its many forms;
- “Now Is the Month of Maying,” a well-loved madrigal by Thomas Morley;
- “Salmo (Psalm) 150,” a rhythmic contemporary piece from the Brazilian composer, Ernani Aguiar;
- Two lullabies: “A Lullaby” by Ryan Murphy in 2015, and “Lullaby” by Daniel Elder. “A Lullaby,” was premiered several weeks after the Sandy Hook tragedy and incorporates the poetry of Eugene Field;
- “Hold On!” a lively spiritual piece by Eugene Thamon Simpson;
- “I’m Gonna Rise,” by Paul Marsena.
In addition, the Lieto Women will perform the haunting, “I Am In Need of Music” by David L. Brunner, a piece based on a sonnet by Elizabeth Bishop expressing the magic of music.
Lieto Men will perform “A Soldier’s Elegy” by Michael Kregler, based on the anonymous poem, “I Want to Go Home” that speaks to the brutality of war and a plea for peace.
Other works include “Alleluia” by Ralph Manuel, “Omnia Sol (Let Your Heart Be Staid) by Z. Randall Stroope, and “Northern Lights” by Ola Gjeilo.
Lieto Voices is a 55-voice community choir founded in 2003. The choir is directed by Robert Reimer, known for his award-winning high school choirs at Snow Canyon and Pine View High Schools. He is assisted by a fellow music educator, Kris Barber, who recently received the “Outstanding Utah Jr. High Music Educator” by the Utah Music Educators Association. Ann Graf and Celia Gonzales will serve as accompanists.
Lieto frequently presents concerts in St. George and has performed at New York’s Carnegie Hall under the direction of John Rutter, renowned British choral composer.
Lieto, pronounced Lee – Eh’ – Toe, is the Italian word for happy or glad. The name therefore represents happy or glad voices, joined in song.
Lieto’s goal is to be a well-mixed, balanced choir, and prospective members are encouraged to audition for the 2016-2017 season. Auditions will be held the first week of September. Rehearsals are held on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. at the Pine View High School choir room.
The concert begins at 7 p.m. and is free to the public.
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