Recent News & Recordings
BERNSTEIN: Leonard Bernstein Centennial
On 25 August 1918, Jennie and Samuel Bernstein, immigrants to the US from Tsarist Russia, welcomed a son, Louis, who would grow up to become a celebrated American conductor, composer, pianist, and educator. Louis was named by his grandmother, but was always known as Leonard, or Lenny, and changed his name legally at the age of 15. After a half-century of accomplishments (and a turbulent personal life), Bernstein referred to himself simply as a musician. This is an understated description of a man whose broad achievements are unique in musical history. Bernstein was a brilliant conductor, a fine concert pianist, a pioneering educator, and a humanitarian, as well as a prolific composer. His compositions varied from Broadway classics, to ballet, opera, orchestral and chamber music, and even a film score. And of course, he composed choral pieces, many of which are among his greatest and most moving works. To celebrate the life and work of this remarkable American composer on the evening of his 100th birthday, The Esoterics will be joined by cathedral organist Joseph Adam, harpist John Carrington, and percussionist Matthew Kocmieroski, and will present Bernstein’s entire sacred choral oeuvre (in English, Latin, French, and Hebrew), including: Chichester Psalms, his choruses from The lark, Missa brevis, selections from Mass and Kaddish, Hashkiveinu, Simchu na, and Yigdal.
INTIMAS: Cultivating community
The Esoterics is thrilled to announce the release of our latest disc, INTIMAS. As we struggle to understand and overcome the challenges of living in a divided and divisive world, the concept of community is more important now than ever. In this time of conflict and dissent, The Esoterics offers a collection of choral works on the theme of community: to inspire reflection and respect, creation and renewal, inclusion and support. To purchase a copy or for more information, click the banner above.
Greater Seattle Choral Consortium
The Esoterics is proud to be a founding member of The Greater Seattle Choral Consortium, the non-profit organization that sponsors the Seattle Sings! Choral Festival. The GSCC is comprised of over sixty choral ensembles in the Puget Sound region each of whom have a unique mission, but a common love of singing and choral music. Please visit our "neighbor" choirs and see what the GSCC is doing for advocacy and support of choral music in our community at www.seattlesings.org.
