This weekend is a busy one for ProMusica Chamber Orchestra AND Classical 101. ProMusica, The Lancaster Chorale and guest vocalists come together to celebrate the season with the sublime Christmas Oratorio, written by Camille Saint-Saens when he was just twenty-three!
I asked Kathrin Danzmayr if the fact that the Christmas Oratorio is seldom performed gives her a bit more freedom of interpretation.
The evening also includes Ralph Vaughan Williams’ moving work Five Variants of “Dives and Lazarus” and highlights from Handel’s legendary work, Messiah.
David Danzmayr and Kathrin Danzmayr were in the Classical 101 studios to talk a bit about the weekend. David and Kathrin lived for a time on the island of Scotland. David says both of them have a deep love for the UK, feelings which come to mind when hearing music by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
Does having spent time there color your approach to his music?
If you love participating as much as listening, the annual Messiah sing-a-long will get you in the proper holiday mood. Join the orchestra and community members for what has become a beloved holiday tradition! Join friends, families, and church choirs, and sing selections from Handel’s Messiah, or just simply luxuriate in being enveloped in Handel's incredible music. Orchestra students and area music directors join ProMusica musicians on stage for this joyful community event.
While recordings of all of this music are certainly available, there is nothing to match being part of a live performance. It's a surefire way to get yourself into the spirit of the holidays!