On the darkest night of the year, GBS brings the warm sounds of the holidays: the Bach “Christmas Oratorio,” Vivaldi “Winter and Summer” from The Four Seasons, “The Seven Joys of Christmas” by contemporary American composer Kirke Mechem, and more holiday cheer at this festive concert.
The concert will be enriched by the voices of The Fairfield County Children’s Choir and the Connecticut Chamber Choir, who in addition to singing the Bach “Oratorio“ will also present a harmonious new composition, “Midwintersong” by Liam Robinson, and other holiday classics.
The violin solo in the Vivaldi piece will be performed by prodigy Cameron Chase, one of three phenomenally gifted young musicians who tied for first in GBS’ Young Instrumentalists’’ Competition 2019. Chase, of Stratford, impressed Conductor Eric Jacobsen with his virtuosity. Co-winners Matthew Hill and Sofia Gilchenok also made this year’s programs – Hill in September with a blockbuster solo on Tchaikovsky’s “Violin Concerto,” and Gilchenok scheduled to perform the Bartok “Viola Concerto” at GBS’ March 14, 2020 concert. “These young people represent the future of Classical music. They’re brilliant!” says conductor Jacobsen.
As part of its season theme, 20/20 Visions: The Evolution of Music, GBS is pairing Bach’s “Oratorio” – a description in six parts of the days surrounding the birth of Jesus – with “The Seven Joys of Christmas,” which composer Mechem says was inspired by Bach. Mechem’s seven parts include such old-world Christmas classics as “Ding Dong Merrily on High,” “Fum Fum Fum,” and “God Bless the Master of this House.”
Coming as it does, just a day before Hanukkah and four days before Christmas, this concert is sure to bring cheer – a welcome respite from the hustle and bustle of the holidays, a chance to relax among friends with the luxuriant sounds of the Greater Bridgeport Symphony and the choruses.
GBS tickets make great gifts. Three-concert subscription packages and special Holiday 2-Packs (15% off regular price) are available by calling GBS at (203)576-0263. Tickets are on sale from $15 to $59 on www.GBS.org and Family Pack Deals – “Bring a Family of Five for as Little as $55.50!” – are available by calling GBS. Groups of 10 or more are also eligible for deep discounts. (Ticketing charges apply to all sales.) All concerts are on Saturday evenings at 8:00pm at the fabulous Klein Memorial Auditorium, 910 Fairfield Avenue, Bridgeport, with ample free, lighted parking across the street.