Cuban chorus offers diverse and beautiful music
Cuban chorus offers diverse and beautiful music
Updated: November 11, 2012 - 2:23 PM
By WILLIAM RANDALL BEARD
Special to the Star Tribune
For almost 20 years, Schola Cantorum Coralina has been the one of the foremost choruses in Cuba. The 20-member ensemble is on its first-ever U.S. tour, performing here under the auspices of VocalEssence. Their program, "An Evening in Havana," naturally focused on contemporary Cuban music, but also featured music from Argentina, Brazil, Philippines, Spain, and beyond.
The chorus rehearses for three hours a night, four nights a week, under its passionate conductor Alina Orraca. And that commitment shows in the performances. From the resonant, rumbling basses to the delicate, crystalline sopranos, even to the top of their range, they blended into a robust, sensuous sound.
Coralina receives financial support from the government, paying each member a part-ime salary. As part of their job, members lead three children's choruses, for ages 3 to 15, to instill the love of music.
The program opened with a set of religious pieces, sung in Latin, and rooted in classical traditions. From Yaniel Fernaìndez, a veteran of Carolina, came an "Ave Maria" that blended a contemporary melody arranged with medieval-sounding harmonies into a luscious whole.
More:
http://www.startribune.com/entertainment/music/178664141.html?refer=y
Sample of their music for people who love the well known "Oh Happy Day":
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Schola Cantorum Coralina--Sanctus and Agnus Dei
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More to hear and see by this wonderful group:
http://www.youtube.com/results?utm_source=navclient&rlz=1T4TSND_enUS411US412&search_query=Schola+Cantorum+Coralina
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