In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Marcel Dupré. Marcel Dupré 1886-1971 The virtuosic organist, teacher, and composer Marcel Dupré was born into a musical family and started as organist of St. Vivien at age twelve. He studied organ with Alexandre Guilmant… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Javier Busto. Javier Busto b. 1949 The Basque composer, conductor, and doctor Javier Busto is known for his gorgeous choral music. Born in Hondarribia, San Sebastián, Spain, Busto spent his childhood and adolescence as a… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Henk Badings, featuring mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Henk Badings 1907-1987 The prolific Dutch composer Henk Badings was born on the island of Java and moved to the Netherlands at age seven as an orphan. Facing pressure from… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Elizabeth Poston. Elizabeth Poston 1905-1987 English composer and skilled pianist Elizabeth Poston was known for her choral and vocal compositions and her compilations of songs, hymns, and carols. She was born at Highfield, Walkern, near… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Charles Ives, featuring mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Charles Ives 1874-1954 American composer Charles Ives is best known for his experimental music that influenced generations of composers. Born in Danbury, Connecticut, Ives began his musical education under… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Peter Warlock. This episodes features soprano Jenny French. Peter Warlock 1894-1930 English composer Philip Arnold Heseltine, known by his pseudonym Peter Warlock, wrote music in a distinctive style and served as a critic, author, and… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Lennox Berkeley. He is joined by mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Lennox Berkeley 1903-1989 The skilled composer Sir Lennox Berkeley composed in many different genres, but especially found acclaim with his gorgeous choral pieces. He was born… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Richard Rodney Bennett. Richard Rodney Bennett 1936-2012 English composer and pianist Sir Richard Rodney Bennett was known for his compositions for both concert and film music. He began composing at a young age and studied… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer John Tavener. John Tavener 1944-2013 English composer Sir John Tavener was best known for his sacred choral works that mesmerize choirs and audiences around the world. He began improvising and composing from the piano at… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Adolphus Hailstork. Adolphus Hailstork b. 1941 The music of the accomplished composer Adolphus Hailstork is frequently performed and commissioned by acclaimed ensembles throughout the United States. Hailstork studied at the Manhattan School of Music under… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Nathaniel Dett. Nathaniel Dett 1882-1943 Canadian-American composer, educator, and conductor Nathaniel Dett not only wrote over one hundred works for choirs, solo voice, instrumental ensembles, and piano, but also played an important role as an… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Gerald Finzi. Gerald Finzi 1901-1956 British composer Gerald Finzi was born in London and moved to Harrogate, North Yorkshire at age 7 after the death of his father. He studied music with Ernest Farrar from… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Leonard Bernstein. This episode features tenor Bradley Greenwald. Leonard Bernstein 1918-1990 Bernstein was born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, and educated at Harvard University, the Curtis Institute of Music, and Tanglewood, a summer institute where he later… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ian Kellam. Ian Kellam 1933-2014 British composer Ian Kellam is especially admired for his sacred vocal compositions. He was born in Sheffield, England, and as a chorister studied with Dr. Tustin Baker, organist at Sheffield… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Olivier Messiaen. Olivier Messiaen 1908-1992 With his extraordinarily unique approach to composition, French composer Olivier Messiaen constantly set himself apart from other musicians. Born in Avignon and self-taught in piano, Messiaen began composing at age… Read More →
