The Esoterics

VILLAROSA
A Swedish symphony for unaccompanied voices

The Esoterics will embody "contemporary choral culture" at its best as it presents VILLAROSA, a concert featuring works by the Swedish composer Thomas Jennefelt (b 1954). Music for a big church; for tranquility, composed in 1990, will precede Jennefelt's celebrated Villarosa sequences, which were written between 1993 and 2001. This seven-movement symphony for voices combines the meditative qualities of minimalism, dramatic tone clusters, and vibrant melodic lines – creating a unique choral experience that is both peaceful and exhilarating. In Jennefelt's Villarosa sequences, the traditional role of text is challenged, as the composer's own musical ideas inspired phrases of Latinate lyrics that were crafted to complete his musical vision.

Although Jennefelt's music has been described as "not equivocally minimalist," the composer's means of expression is often reduced to the smallest morsel. His Villarosa sequences are full of tonal color, are underpinned by tonal pulse and regular rhythm, and employ a lyrical vocalise of faintly familiar syllables that communicate clearly and with great economy. Jennefelt's music is regarded as having an affinity with American modernism, and much more than his conservative European counterparts. He is a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music and the 2001 recipient of the Litteris et artibus medal. Jennefelt and The Esoterics founding director, Eric Banks, met when they performed together in the Swedish Radio choir in 1998. Read more.

We hope that you will join us at the West Coast premiere of these innovative and inspiring works!

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NEW CD Release! OURANIA: Dreams that reach across the heavens

The Esoterics proudly presents OURANIA its tenth CD recording. The Esoterics features eight choral works that explore the concept of ‘the heavens.' Named for the Greek muse of astronomy, OURANIA ranges in scope from the precise calculations of science, to the lavish polyphony of late Romanticism, and the angelic inspiration of Biblical imagery – offering several perspectives on how we have come to understand the sun, moon, and stars. Read more.

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The Esoterics' 2010 season
is sponsored by generous grants from

• 4 Culture
• ArtsFund
• Classical King FM 98.1
• The Horizons Foundation
• The Norcliffe Foundation
• The Nesholm Family Foundation
• The National Endowment for the Arts
• The Seattle Foundation
• Seattle's Office of Arts and Cultural Affairs
• The Washington State Arts Commission

The Esoterics
1815 24th Ave
Seattle WA 98122-3014
206-935-7779
info@TheEsoterics.org