First Presbyterian San Anselmo Chancel Choir and guest singers with Music Director Daniel Canosa will present Missa Brevis by Zoltán Kodály during worship on June 5th. Rosemary Beecher Bryant, soprano; Linda Price, soprano; Jessica Winn, alto; Samuel Palmer, tenor; Jefferson Packer, bass; John Parfitt, organ.
The Missa Brevis is an extraordinary piece. Remarkably, Kodály finished composing the Missa Brevis while taking refuge underneath the Budapest Opera House as the Russian Army lay siege to the Nazi-occupied city in 1944. Kodály used very few of his characteristic Hungarian motifs in this work. Its premiere took place in an Opera House cloakroom on February 11, 1945, with a choir of opera soloists, accompanied by harmonium and the sound of gunfire in the distance. This history is a poignant reminder to all of us of a hard-won peace and freedom, the terrors of war, the power of music to heal the soul, and hope for a better world.
Please join us for the performance. It will be a truly special musical worship service.
Sunday, June 5th, 10 am
72 Kensington Rd, San Anselmo, 94960
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