Voices of Connection: 11/27 Berlioz Te Deum
As we continue giving thanks through Giving Tuesday, we express our gratitude to the hundreds of musicians and singers who have made Voices of Ascension what it is over the years. We’ve been fortunate to work with some of the world’s finest musicians and many have become more than just friends. We open today’s selection with the testimonials of current and former members of the Voices chorus and orchestra, followed by the final movement from the Berlioz Te Deum.
This is one of Berlioz’s greatest masterpieces, and it is one of the ultimate ceremonial pieces of all time. For this once-in-a-lifetime performance we assembled 140 professional singers, another 140 in a youth chorus, and an orchestra of 100. We were almost 400 musicians assembled for this piece! Berlioz called this final movement the most colossal, grandiose piece he ever composed. Near the end of the movement, the music keeps repeating “Non confundar. Salvum fac,” “Don’t let us be overcome! Save us!” Climax after climax breaks forth, and in one of the most extraordinary endings in all of French music, the work reaches its magnificent, blazing apotheosis, as Redemption finally triumphs. – Dennis Keene
Join us for our 30th Anniversary Season.
VIRTUAL EVENTS. REAL INSPIRATION.
Testimonials from members of the Voices of Ascension Chorus and Orchestra as they appeared in our Celebration of Voices 30th Anniversary Gala.
BERLIOZ Te Deum - Final Movement
Voices of Ascension Chorus & Orchestra
Dennis Keene, Artistic Director & Conductor
Mark Kruczek, Organist
Young Singers of Pennsylvania
Susan and Joseph Ohrt, Directors
from the Delos recording Berlioz Te Deum ℗ 1997 Delos
The singers in this performance are represented by the American Guild of Musical Artists, AFL-CIO.