In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gabriela Lena Frank. Gabriela Lena Frank b. 1972 Gabriela Lena Frank is an eminent American composer of contemporary classical music. Born in Berkeley, California to a mother of mixed Peruvian/Chinese ancestry and a father of… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Bill “Grayston” Ives. Bill “Grayston” Ives b. 1948 Bill “Grayston” Ives has spent his life in choral music – as a singer, conductor, teacher and composer. He was a chorister at Ely Cathedral and then… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ēriks Ešenvalds. Ēriks Ešenvalds b. 1977 Ēriks Ešenvalds is one of the most sought-after composers working today, with a busy commission schedule and performances of his music heard on every continent. Born in Priekule, Latvia,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Malcolm Williamson. Malcolm Williamson 1931-2003 Malcolm Williamson was one of the most successful Australian composers of the latter half of the twentieth century. He studied piano privately with Sverjensky before enrolling at the New South… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Johann “Hermann” Schein. Johann “Hermann” Schein 1586-1630 Johann Schein was a German composer, and one of the earliest musicians to introduce the Italian Baroque style into German music. In 1599 Johann Hermann Schein was admitted… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer William Mathias. William Mathias 1934-1992 William Mathias was a prolific Welsh composer and arranger of Anglican carols for choir. He began to compose at an early age, studying first at the University College of Wales,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Nico Muhly. Nico Muhly b. 1981 Nico Muhly is an American composer who writes orchestral music, works for the stage, chamber music and sacred music. He’s received commissions from The Metropolitan Opera: Two Boys (2011),… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Astor Piazzolla. Astor Piazzolla 1921-1992 Astor Piazzolla was an Argentine tango composer, bandoneón player, and arranger whose works revolutionized the traditional tango into a new style termed nuevo tango, incorporating elements from jazz and classical… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Sergei Rachmaninoff. Sergei Rachmaninoff 1873-1943 Sergei Rachmaninoff was a Russian composer, virtuoso pianist, and conductor of the late Romantic period best known for his works for piano. Born into a musical family, Rachmaninoff took up… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Melissa Dunphy. Melissa Dunphy b. 1980 Australian-born composer Melissa Dunphy is a prolific young composer whose works redefine music’s purpose in contemporary society. Born to refugee parents and raised in Australia, Dunphy immigrated to the… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Eric Thiman. Eric Thiman 1900-1975 Eric Thiman was a prolific British composer of anthems, services, part-songs, church and secular cantatas. He was also Musical Editor of the hymn book Congregational Praise and the author of… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Paul Hindemith. Paul Hindemith 1895-1963 One of the most important composers of the first half of the 20th century, Paul Hindemith dominated German musical life during the Weimar Republic period. He came from a humble… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Sir Arnold Bax. Sir Arnold Bax 1883-1953 Sir Arnold Bax was a British composer whose choral works exemplify the neo-romantic music popular between World War I and II. Born in London to a prosperous family,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Leo Nestor. Leo Nestor 1947-2019 Dr. Leo Nestor was an American choral composer and conductor, known for his work with the American Repertory Singers. He served the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as musical… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Kim André Arnesen. Kim André Arnesen b.1980 Kim André Arnesen is one of the most frequently performed classical composers from Norway today. He grew up in Trondheim, and at age of 10, he played the… Read More →
