Among the works that ECMC will perform on our RETROSPECTIVE: The Homecoming Concert is Felix Mendelssohn's Periti autem fulgebunt, one of the Zwei geistliche Männerchöre (two sacred choruses for men’s choir) that comprise Mendelssohn's Op. 115. The choruses were commissioned by Johann Clarus, a Professor of Medicine in Leipzig. The 24-year old Mendelssohn reportedly composed the two choruses in one day in 1833.
Periti autem fulgebunt is a setting of Chapter 12, Verse 3 of the Book of Daniel:
"And they that are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever."
Read MoreOn our upcoming Restrospective Concert, ECMC will sing Saltarelle by Camille Saint-Saëns (1835-1921). Saltarelle is a musical setting of a poem by Émile Deschamps for men’s chorus. The French word, saltarelle, comes from the Italian saltarello, which is a traditional Italian dance, usually in a fast triple meter. Saltarello derives from the Italian verb saltare, which means to jump or to skip.
Saltarelle is a call to the people of Romagna to leave the mountains and plains and to come dance and sing. Here is a performance by the Empire City Men’s Chorus from our 2016 Free & Easy Concert with the text translation below.
Read MoreOne of the songs on our holiday concert, Revelry, is a setting of Al HaNisim to an old melody in an a capella setting for mixed choir by Elliot Z. Levine, which has been revoiced for men’s chorus by Vince Peterson.
Elliot Z. Levine, a former member of the Western Wind, a vocal sextet devoted to the special beauty and variety of a cappella music, has appeared as a baritone soloist with groups such as Musica Sacra, the Rome Opera, the Ensemble for Early music, and the Mannes Camerata. Mr. Levine is also a composer, conductor, educator, and coach.
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