A CHRISTMAS GIFT

2:00pm Saturday, December 16, 2017
New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, Burnaby
8255 13th Ave., between 1st Street and Newcombe

Amabilis invites you to an afternoon concert celebrating both the joy and the tender beauty of the Christmas season. The programme features Kim Arnesen’s gentle His Light in Us, Sara Quartel’s hauntingly beautiful arrangement of The Huron Carol, the meaningful eloquence of Juso Elberdin’s Ubi caritas and Hyo Won Woo’s fabulously exuberant Cum Sancto Spiritu.

Beautiful music, favourite carols and boisterous sing-alongs – let us share with each other the spirit that is Christmas.

Adults/Seniors: $20 | Children under 12: free
Tickets: Available from all choir members, at the door, or by calling 604.503.2074

 

BRAHMS: EIN DEUTSCHES REQUIEM

1871 London version with two pianos

8:00pm Saturday, April 14, 2018
New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, Burnaby
8255 13th Ave., between 1st Street and Newcombe

Featuring
Distinguished Canadian pianist, Jane Coop
Ingrid Verseveldt, piano
Jennifer Driscoll-Holmes, soprano
George Roberts, baritone

Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem is one of the great choral masterpieces of all time – a work of great depth, intensity and spirituality. The composition occupied Brahms for many years, and was influenced by the death of his mother and the tragic fate of his friend Robert Schumann.

After completing the original orchestral version in 1868, Brahms re-wrote it for piano duet. This adaption, first heard in London three years later, is not merely an arrangement of the orchestral parts, but a transformation which allows for an unsurpassed degree of intimacy, precision and contrapuntal clarity.

Brahms did not use the customary text of the Roman Catholic Requiem Mass, but rather turned to scripture, in particular the German bible of Martin Luther. His remarkably original approach is evident directly at the beginning of the piece: Brahms eschews the traditional liturgical opening verse of “Grant them eternal rest, O Lord” and replaces it with “Blessed are they that mourn, for they shall be comforted”, taken from what is known as The Beatitudes from the gospel of Matthew. What an extraordinary change of perspective, for now the living are being addressed, and their anxiety has been replaced by comfort. Brahms once said that he would have been content to call his composition “Ein menschliches Requiem” (a human Requiem), and we can certainly understand why. Ein deutsches Requiem is a bold and moving testament to humanism as well as to faith.

Amabilis is privileged and honoured to have one of Canada’s most prominent and distinguished artists Jane Coop join us for this special performance.
“The playing is ravishing, sensual, powerful and deeply affecting.” – CD Review

Please note: The seven movements of this 65+ minute work will be sung without intermission.

All tickets $25
Tickets: Available from all choir members, at the door, or by calling 604.503.2074

 

SPECIAL SEASON SUBSCRIPTION

ONLY $40: Save $5 when you order 1 adult ticket for both concerts

 

Amabilis is a registered non-profit charitable organization and able to issue tax receipts.

4420 Rumble St.
Burnaby, BC V5J 2A3