The San Francisco Choral Society is set to unveil the first-ever performance in the United States of Ukrainian composer Alexander Shchetynsky's Requiem. The event is scheduled for August 18th at Davies Symphony Hall. This performance serves as a tribute to the memory of Ukrainian conductor Yuri Kerpatenko, who tragically lost his life in September of the previous year for refusing to collaborate with Russian occupiers.
The program for the concert encompasses not only the renowned Mozart Requiem but also planned to include the debut of another composition by Shchetynsky, titled "Lacrimosa." However, the performance of "Lacrimosa" had to be canceled due to the need for an organ, specifically Davies's Ruffatti organ, the rental cost of which, along with other expenses, was deemed prohibitive for the non-profit choir consisting of dedicated volunteer singers.
Tickets for the event are available within a range of $45 to $75, with special rates offered for seniors and students. These tickets can be acquired through City Box Office or by dialing (415) 392-4400. As per the chorus's tradition, the concert will showcase the combined talents of local and visiting vocalists under the guidance of Artistic Director Robert Geary, who was honored with the 2023 Chorus America Michael Korn Award.
The Summer Festival Chorus program of the SF Choral Society invites skilled singers from various parts of the country and beyond to join the Resident Chorus for a week-long collaboration in San Francisco every summer. This year, participants are journeying from as far as Singapore, representing a diverse range of ages. Furthermore, the society supports a student scholarship initiative that invites high school and college students from the local area to engage in the rehearsal and performance process.
The Shchetynsky Requiem will feature soprano Jessica House Steward, mezzo-soprano Stacey Helley, tenor Lee Steward, and bass Sidney Chen as the soloists. Notably, Jessica House Steward has held the position of executive director for the SF Choral Society since 2019. In the Mozart Requiem, the soloists include soprano Emily Sinclair, mezzo-soprano Shauna Fallihee, tenor Michael Jankosky, and bass Eugene Brancoveanu.
Alexander Shchetynsky, the Ukrainian composer behind the Requiem, is a figure who emerged from the Kharkiv Art Institute in 1983. He was not only influenced by prominent Ukrainian composers like Valentyn Borysov and Valentyn Bibik but also drew inspiration from the Soviet musical avant-garde represented by figures like Edison Denisov, Alfred Schnittke, Arvo Pärt, and Sofia Gubaidulina.
Shchetynsky's Requiem, designed for mixed choir and strings, premiered globally in 2004 at the Contrasts Festival in Lviv, Ukraine. The composer's unique musical approach involves integrating elements from various stylistic periods, such as Gregorian chant, Baroque motifs, 19th-century operatic melodies, and 20th-century modernistic innovations. This blend of styles aims to create a seamless transition between different musical idioms, forging a new unity out of historically disparate elements.
While Shchetynsky's "Lacrimosa," initially intended for the August 18th performance, had to be omitted due to the requirement of an organ, the composition is an instrumental piece for violin, oboe, horn, two trombones, and organ. Created during the early stages of the Russian invasion in Kyiv, the composition is characterized as a mournful elegy for those lost in the war and a resounding anthem to the Ukrainian spirit amid adversity.
Shchetynsky's music has resonated across Europe and North America, with performances by esteemed ensembles such as the Helikon Opera in Moscow, the BBC National Orchestra of Wales, and the Warsaw Philharmonic. His work has been featured in two albums: the 2011 Naxos recording "New Sacred Music From Ukraine" and the 2016 Labor recording "Ukraine: Journey to Freedom."
In recognition of his compositional achievements, Shchetynsky's chamber opera "Annunciation" received the esteemed Golden Mask award for innovation in 2000. Additionally, he has secured prizes in prestigious competitions including the Witold Lutosławski International Composers Competition in Poland and the Henri Dutilleux Competition in France. His accomplishments also encompass recognition in the International Gustav Mahler Composition Prize.
