COMMUNITY
tvc.dsj.org | November 21, 2017
9
San Jose Symphonic Choir Season Opener
The San Jose Symphonic Choir
(SJSC), conducted by Music Director
Leroy Kromm, will present its fi rst
concert of the 2017-2018 season on
Dec. 2, at Saint Andrew’s Episcopal
Church, 13601 Saratoga Ave., Saratoga,
at 7:30 p.m.
The performance will feature Ralph
Vaughan Williams’ Christmas cantata
Hodie, or This Day, and other music of
the holiday season. The choir will be
accompanied by Nova Vista Symphony
and Vivace Youth Chorus of San Jose.
Tickets are: General, $30 in advance,
$35 at the door, Seniors/Students/Mili-
tary $25 in advance, $30 at the door,
and are available through Brown Pa-
per Tickets. Visit the Choir’s website,
www.sanjosesymphon icchoir.org
for a direct link to tickets and more
information.
Hodie
Hodie, or This Day, is a nativity can-
tata, written in 1953 by the venerable
English composer, Ralph Vaughan
Williams. It was his last work for cho-
rus and orchestra, and he incorporated
a lifetime of experience and styles
into its composition. Exemplifying his
belief that the voice “can be made the
medium of the best and deepest hu-
man emotion,” this wonderful piece
provides a moving journey through
moods light and dark, somber and
joyful. The composer’s skillful reitera-
tion of key musical phrases paints a
musical picture that is enhanced by
the poignant lyrics.
Overall, the piece alternates be-
tween narrative from the Scriptures,
telling the story of the Nativity, and
other prose or p oetry that embroiders
the narrative theme. Vaughan Wil-
liams gave the narrative portions to a
childrens’ chorus, evoking an angels’
choir. A wonderful example is the
story of the Three Kings: the story told
by the children, followed by a stirring
march, sung by the soloists who voice
the kings, and the choir, which creates
the mood of their movement under
the Star, back and forth from faraway
lands. Many lovely moments stand
out in the work: the solo baritone’s
aria setting Thomas Hardy’s poem
“The Oxen,” a song of quiet longing
for a gentler past; Mary’s sweetly in-
trospective lullaby to the Babe, sung
by soprano and women’s chorus; and
the sparkling, joyful conclusion all
combine to provide a stirring portrait
of a familiar and beloved story.
Vaughan Williams was one of the
premier gatherers of English folk
songs and used them extensively
in his work. He was familiar with
ancient chant and plainsong, as well
as peasant tunes and court music.
He was also a great reader and used
verse and prose from many authors in
his compositions. Hodie includes text
from the Bible, and from poets Thomas
Hardy (19th century), John Milton
(17th century), and his wife Ursula,
(20th century).
More Holiday Performances
Following its season opener, San
Jose Symphonic Choir will present
its festive annual treat, the You-Sing-
It Messiah, on Dec. 4 at the beautiful
California Theatre in downtown San
Jose. For nearly 40 years, SJSC has en-
joyed sharing the festive spirit of the
holiday season. The evening begins
with carols in the theatre’s ornate, art
deco lobby, beautifully sung by Vivace
Youth Chorus of San Jose, under the
direction of Peggy Spool. SJSC’s own
Maestro Leroy Kromm then leads the
San Jose Baroque Orchestra and the
entire audience in singing Handel’s
beloved masterpiece. Tickets are avail-
able through Symphony Silicon Val-
ley Box Offi ce, (408) 286-2600, x23, or
[email protected].
On Dec. 15 at 7:30 p.m., the choir
offers the first of two free commu-
nity concerts at Saint Francis Xavier
Church, 1475 LaSalle Ave., Seaside,
at 7:30 p.m. This evening of seasonal
music will help set the mood for cele-
brating Christmas! Freewill donations
will be gratefully accepted to help on-
going recovery eff orts from the recent
earthquake in Mexico.
On Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m., the choir
will perform as part of the Season
of Hope program at the Cathedral
Basilica of San Jose, 80 South Market
Street, San Jose. This free concert is
part of an annual performance series,
made possible through a collaboration
between local arts organizations and
Saint Joseph’s Offi ce of Social Minis-
try. SJSC will off er an oasis of calm
in downtown San Jose, featuring the
beauty and serenity of choral music of
the season. Freewill donations provide
food, shelter, medical care, and assis-
tance with job searching to those in
need in our community.
For more information contact San
Jose Symphonic Choir: (408) 995-3318,
or [email protected].
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