posted 01/25/10 01:32 PM | updated 01/25/10 05:23 PM
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Caritas Chorale and The Boise Philharmonic Present Beethoven's C Major Mass

By Rae Devito
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Dick Brown, director presents Beethoven Mass in C Major

On Saturday, January 30th, at 3:30 PM in The Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood, Caritas Chorale and members of the Boise Philharmonic, under the musical directon of Dick Brown, will present Beethoven's powerful C Major Mass.  The performance will feature four soloists:  Betsy Ushkrat, soprano; Sandra Agans, alto; Tyler Smith, tenor; and James Martin, bass.  Both James Martin and Tyler Smith have performed in the past with Caritas.   Sandra Agans and Betsy Ushkrat will be performing for the first time here, and Betsy as the new bride of Tyler Smith.  The performance will also include members of Anam Cara, an a cappella choir also directed by Mr. Brown.

Beethoven composed the  C Major Mass in 1807, at a time in his life when his musical prestige was considerable, but also at a time when he was going deaf, and had become morose, withdrawn, distrustful, and contemplated suicide.  He was commissioned to compose the Mass by Hungarian Prince Nicholas Esterhazy II for the prince's wife's name day.  Beethoven persevered, and poured into his remarkable music all of his pain, his hunger for peace and happiness, and his strength of will that helped him survive a tumultuous and tortured life.  The C Major Mass and other works, including the Fifth Symphony, are the result of this new creative period that established him as the premiere composer of his time.

It is interesting that an announcement was made recently, and with some authenticity, that Beethoven's skull had been found, but also that none of the major auction houses would have it.  However, when the last known manuscript in Beethoven's own hand was discovered in a Philadelphia seminary in the summer of 2005,  it fetched over $1 million.  It was an 80-page draft score for the Grosse Fugue for Piano -  Four Hands, and was considered a milestone in Beethoven's career.

The reality is, the heart and soul of Ludwig van Beethoven live on through his music, as palpable as though he were there in person, and we can experience it physically, emotionally and spiritually.

Caritas Chorale invites you to attend this "ONE PERFORMANCE ONLY", Sat., Jan. 30th, at 3:30 PM, at the Presbyterian Church of the Big Wood.  Performances are free and Everyone Is Welcome!  Donations are gratefully accepted.

PRE-CONCERT LECTURE will be given by Dick Brown on Wednesday, January 27th, at 12:00 Noon, at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, in Classroom #3.

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