AUBURN - A classical music composition that combines chorus and guitar is relatively rare. When adding instruments to a choral work, most composers choose to utilize piano, organ or an entire orchestra.
The first time Madrigalia music director Roger Wilhelm heard the exquisite playing of guitarist Nathan Fischer, though, he knew he needed to find such compositions.
The end result of Wilhelm's search took place Sunday afternoon at St. Mary's Church in Auburn, as Rochester chamber chorus Madrigalia performed a concert that featured Fischer on classical guitar.
The concert consisted of two expansive works: “Via Crucis,” a cycle of 15 “saetas” (Spanish folk songs) based on the Gospel According to Matthew, and “Romancero Gitano,” inspired by the work of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca.
“I recently learned that there was a really fine guitarist in the area, and coincidentally, I've always wanted to perform ‘Via Crucis,'” Wilhelm said from the church prior to Sunday's performance.
Wilhelm later added “Romancero Gitano” to Sunday's program, he said, because it is widely considered a Lenten composition.
“I thought this would be the prefect time of year to (perform) it.”
Madrigalia is an 18-member chorus from Rochester that was founded in 1975, and has since performed concerts all over the world.
Perhaps best known for its Christmas music, the ensemble has released five albums, including its most recent CD, “Music from the Emerald Isle,” a collection of Irish songs.
At Sunday's concert, the group began with “Via Crucis,” composed in 1971 by Carlos Surinach of Spain.
“The style of this work is best described as minimalist,” Wilhelm told the audience while introducing the piece. “You'll notice that it's very dramatic, with lots of repetitive phrasing.”
The ensemble's performance of the 15 songs was augmented by Fischer's dissonant guitar chords, which provided striking contrast to the choir's smooth vocal harmonies.
The piece was intertwined with readings from the Bible by several ministers, including Rev. Phil Windsor of Auburn's Westminster Presbyterian Church.
“Romancero Gitano,” written by Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, was as haunting as the Spanish poet Lorca himself.
Based on seven of Lorca's poems, the work included solos by several Madrigalia members, including alto Ann Rhody and baritone Joe Borrelli.
The end result of Wilhelm's search took place Sunday afternoon at St. Mary's Church in Auburn, as Rochester chamber chorus Madrigalia performed a concert that featured Fischer on classical guitar.
The concert consisted of two expansive works: “Via Crucis,” a cycle of 15 “saetas” (Spanish folk songs) based on the Gospel According to Matthew, and “Romancero Gitano,” inspired by the work of Spanish poet Federico Garcia Lorca.
“I recently learned that there was a really fine guitarist in the area, and coincidentally, I've always wanted to perform ‘Via Crucis,'” Wilhelm said from the church prior to Sunday's performance.
Wilhelm later added “Romancero Gitano” to Sunday's program, he said, because it is widely considered a Lenten composition.
“I thought this would be the prefect time of year to (perform) it.”
Madrigalia is an 18-member chorus from Rochester that was founded in 1975, and has since performed concerts all over the world.
Perhaps best known for its Christmas music, the ensemble has released five albums, including its most recent CD, “Music from the Emerald Isle,” a collection of Irish songs.
At Sunday's concert, the group began with “Via Crucis,” composed in 1971 by Carlos Surinach of Spain.
“The style of this work is best described as minimalist,” Wilhelm told the audience while introducing the piece. “You'll notice that it's very dramatic, with lots of repetitive phrasing.”
The ensemble's performance of the 15 songs was augmented by Fischer's dissonant guitar chords, which provided striking contrast to the choir's smooth vocal harmonies.
The piece was intertwined with readings from the Bible by several ministers, including Rev. Phil Windsor of Auburn's Westminster Presbyterian Church.
“Romancero Gitano,” written by Italian composer Mario Castelnuovo-Tedesco, was as haunting as the Spanish poet Lorca himself.
Based on seven of Lorca's poems, the work included solos by several Madrigalia members, including alto Ann Rhody and baritone Joe Borrelli.
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