"Love, Destiny and Mirth”

Variety is the spice of life, and this maxim holds true when selecting a choral music program as well. For its spring concert this year, the Hudson Valley Chorale has decided to juxtapose the classically well-ordered melodious style of Johannes Brahms against the irreverent parodies of Peter Schickele, better known as P.D.Q. Bach. Brahms is so well-thought-of for his compositions that he is grouped together with Beethoven and J.S. Bach as one of the three “B’s.” A master of expansively soaring melody, Brahms created many beloved choral pieces, two of which will be included in this program. The Song of Destiny or Schicksalslied is considered one of Brahms’ best choral works. A second opus, the Liebeslieder Waltzes, a collection of love poems in the Ländler style for voices and piano for four hands, fills out the Brahms set.

P.D.Q. Bach’s compositions are all tongue-in-cheek humorous satires and parodies. In direct parody of the Liebeslieder Waltzes, is this composer’s Liebeslieder Polkas. Using a similar scoring technique of piano for four hands, (and sometimes five hands), this work sets the sonnets of several Elizabethan and Cavalier poets to the “um-pah” rhythm of a polka. In most cases, the words of the polkas remain faithful to those of the sonnets with a great many liberties thrown in for good measure. This is levity at its best.

The chorale will be under the baton of its Artistic Director, Michael C. Haigler, with the primary accompanist, Arielle Levioff. Tickets are available for $20. For further information or for ticket purchases call, Susan O’Brien, (845) 598-6749 or email, hudsonvalleychorale@gmail.com

Mark your calendars for Sunday, May 19, 2019, at 3 p.m; performance at Dominican Convent Chapel, 175 Route 340, Sparkill, NY