The Dessoff Choirs is an independent chorus based in New York City.

Margarete Dessoff Emma Margarete "Gretchen" Dessoff (11 June 1874 – 27 November 1944) was a German choral conductor, singer, and voice teacher. Life Germany Margarete (sometimes incorrectly spelled Margarethe) Dessoff was born in Vienna and came to Frank ...

established the organization in 1930 as the union of two choirs she directed, the Adesdi chorus and the A Cappella Singers, whence the plural Choirs. Today, the plural connotes Dessoff's various ensembles, which range from the large Dessoff Symphonic Choir, which appears with major orchestras, to the Dessoff Chamber Choir, which performs in more intimate settings.From http://www.dessoff.org The performance of new, unusual, or rarely heard works is a central facet of Dessoff's mission. Under Dessoff's baton, the Dessoff Choirs gave many premieres, including the American premiere of

Arnold Schönberg Arnold Schoenberg or Schönberg (, ; ; 13 September 187413 July 1951) was an Austrian-American composer, music theorist, teacher, writer, and painter. He is widely considered one of the most influential composers of the 20th century. He was as ...

's ''Friede auf Erden'', the first American performance of

Orazio Vecchi Orazio Vecchi (6 December 1550 (baptized) in Modena – 19 February 1605) was an Italian composer of the late Renaissance. He is most famous for his madrigal comedies, particularly ''L'Amfiparnaso''. Life He was born in Modena, and ...

's ''L'Amfiparnaso'', and the New York premiere of Bach's cantata ''

Christ lag in Todes Banden "" (also ""; "Christ lay in death's bonds") is an Easter hymn by Martin Luther. Its melody is by Luther and Johann Walter. Both the text and the melody were based on earlier examples. It was published in 1524 in the Erfurt ''Enchiridion'' and in ...

''. Dessoff's second conductor, Paul Boepple, continued to champion

early music Early music generally comprises Medieval music (500–1400) and Renaissance music (1400–1600), but can also include Baroque music (1600–1750). Originating in Europe, early music is a broad musical era for the beginning of Western classical m ...

, and when he retired after 32 years as musical director, early music had seen its modern renaissance in which Dessoff had played a significant role. In 1951, the Dessoff Choirs performed with the New York Wind Ensemble at a special Peabody Mason Concert series commemorating the Bi-Millennial year in Paris. During Boepple's tenure, the Choirs released 13 recordings, and his editions were published by

Theodore Presser The Theodore Presser Company is an American music publishing and distribution company located in Malvern, Pennsylvania, formerly King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, and originally based in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. It is the oldest continuing music publ ...

as the Dessoff Choir Series.

Recent history

From 2005 through 2010, James Bagwell served as the musical director of Dessoff. Under his direction, Dessoff performed several large works not often heard, including

Kurt Weill Kurt Julian Weill (March 2, 1900April 3, 1950) was a German-born American composer active from the 1920s in his native country, and in his later years in the United States. He was a leading composer for the stage who was best known for his fru ...

's ''Berliner Requiem'',

Paul Hindemith Paul Hindemith (; 16 November 189528 December 1963) was a German composer, music theorist, teacher, violist and conductor. He founded the Amar Quartet in 1921, touring extensively in Europe. As a composer, he became a major advocate of the ''Ne ...

's ''Apparebit repentina dies'', and

William Bolcom William Elden Bolcom (born May 26, 1938) is an American composer and pianist. He has received the Pulitzer Prize, the National Medal of Arts, a Grammy Award, the Detroit Music Award and was named 2007 Composer of the Year by Musical America. He ...

's ''The Mask''. In addition, Bagwell expanded Dessoff's repertoire with regard to American music, including in the choir's concerts

Sacred Harp Sacred Harp singing is a tradition of sacred choral music that originated in New England and was later perpetuated and carried on in the American South. The name is derived from ''The Sacred Harp'', a ubiquitous and historically important tune ...

music and American music from the 18th and 21st centuries. Dessoff's May 2009 concert, which included works by

Charles Ives Charles Edward Ives (; October 20, 1874May 19, 1954) was an American modernist composer, one of the first American composers of international renown. His music was largely ignored during his early career, and many of his works went unperformed f ...

and his teacher

Horatio Parker Horatio William Parker (September 15, 1863 – December 18, 1919) was an American composer, organist and teacher. He was a central figure in musical life in New Haven, Connecticut in the late 19th century, and is best remembered as the undergradu ...

, was recorded live and released on CD and by mp3 download in December 2009. In September 2009, Bagwell was named musical director of the

Collegiate Chorale MasterVoices (formerly the Collegiate Chorale) is a symphonic choir based in New York City, USA. It was founded in 1941 by Robert Shaw, who was later to found the professional Robert Shaw Chorale. MasterVoices continues to give several performance ...

. In June 2009, the Dessoff Symphonic Choir joined the

New York Philharmonic The New York Philharmonic, officially the Philharmonic-Symphony Society of New York, Inc., globally known as New York Philharmonic Orchestra (NYPO) or New York Philharmonic-Symphony Orchestra, is a symphony orchestra based in New York City. It is ...

and the New York Choral Artists for seven performances of two programs, Britten's ''

War Requiem The ''War Requiem'', Op. 66, is a large-scale setting of the Requiem composed by Benjamin Britten mostly in 1961 and completed in January 1962. The ''War Requiem'' was performed for the consecration of the new Coventry Cathedral, which was b ...

'' and Mahler's '' Symphony No. 8''), marking

Lorin Maazel Lorin Varencove Maazel (, March 6, 1930 – July 13, 2014) was an American conductor, violinist and composer. He began conducting at the age of eight and by 1953 had decided to pursue a career in music. He had established a reputation in th ...

's final concerts as music director of the Philharmonic, with Kent Tritle, the philharmonic's organist. In November 2009, the Dessoff Chamber Choir performed songs from The Kinks Choral Collection with

Ray Davies Sir Raymond Douglas Davies ( ; born 21 June 1944) is an English musician. He was the lead vocalist, rhythm guitarist, and main songwriter for the rock band the Kinks, which he led with his younger brother Dave on lead guitar and backing voca ...

on the ''

Late Show with David Letterman The ''Late Show with David Letterman'' is an American late-night talk show hosted by David Letterman on CBS, the first iteration of the The Late Show (franchise), ''Late Show'' franchise. The show debuted on August 30, 1993, and was produced by ...

'' and at two

Town Hall In local government, a city hall, town hall, civic centre (in the UK or Australia), guildhall, or a municipal building (in the Philippines), is the chief administrative building of a city, town, or other municipality. It usually houses ...

performances. In May 2010, Christopher Shepard became the seventh music director of the Choirs, succeeded by Malcom Meriweather in 2016.

2010–2011 concert season

: October 8–9, 2010, (Dessoff Symphonic Choir)

Radio City Music Hall Radio City Music Hall is an entertainment venue and Theater (structure), theater at 1260 Sixth Avenue (Manhattan), Avenue of the Americas, within Rockefeller Center, in the Midtown Manhattan neighborhood of New York City. Nicknamed "The Showplac ...

Howard Shore Howard Leslie Shore (born October 18, 1946) is a Canadian composer and conductor noted for his film scores. He has composed the scores for over 80 films, most notably the scores for ''The Lord of the Rings'' and ''The Hobbit'' film trilogies. ...

's score to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, performed during a live projection of the film. With the Brooklyn Youth Chorus and the 21st Century Symphony Orchestra, Ludwig Wicki conductor : November 21–22, 2010, St. James Church (Madison Ave. at 71st St.), French Masters from

Josquin Josquin Lebloitte dit des Prez ( – 27 August 1521) was a composer of High Renaissance music, who is variously described as French or Franco-Flemish. Considered one of the greatest composers of the Renaissance, he was a central figure of the ...

to Duruflé, Chris Shepard, conductor : November 24–28, 2010, (Dessoff Chamber Choir) East Coast tour with

, The Kinks Choral Collection :: November 24, 2010, The Beacon Theatre, New York :: November 26, 2010, The

Wellmont Theatre The Wellmont Theater is a theater and concert venue located in Montclair, New Jersey, United States. The theater is located on the corner of Bloomfield Avenue and Seymour Street in downtown Montclair, near the border with neighboring Glen Ridge. ...

, Montclair, New Jersey :: November 27, 2010,

Verizon Hall Verizon Communications Inc., commonly known as Verizon, is an American multinational telecommunications conglomerate and a corporate component of the Dow Jones Industrial Average. The company is headquartered at 1095 Avenue of the Americas in ...

, Philadelphia :: November 28, 2010, Wilbur Theatre, Boston : December 13, 2010, (Dessoff Symphonic Choir) Avery Fisher Hall,

Maurice Ravel Joseph Maurice Ravel (7 March 1875 – 28 December 1937) was a French composer, pianist and conductor. He is often associated with Impressionism along with his elder contemporary Claude Debussy, although both composers rejected the term. In ...

's '' Daphnis et Chloé'', with the Juilliard Orchestra, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, conductor : February 25, 2011, Church of St. Mary the Virgin,

Arvo Pärt Arvo Pärt (; born 11 September 1935) is an Estonian composer of contemporary classical music. Since the late 1970s, Pärt has worked in a minimalist style that employs tintinnabuli, a compositional technique he invented. Pärt's music is in pa ...

's '' Passio'', Chris Shepard, conductor : May 14, 2011, St. George's Episcopal Church, Dance On! Music for Choirs, Pianos, and Percussion, Chris Shepard, conductor

2009–2010 concert season

: November 12, 2009, Congregation Rodeph Sholom,

Ernest Bloch Ernest Bloch (July 24, 1880 – July 15, 1959) was a Swiss-born American composer. Bloch was a preeminent artist in his day, and left a lasting legacy. He is recognized as one of the greatest Swiss composers in history. As well as producing music ...

's ''Sacred Service''. Paolo Bordignon (organ), Charles Perry Sprawls (bass-baritone), James Bagwell, conductor : March 6, 2010, Merkin Concert Hall,

Kyle Gann Kyle Eugene Gann (born November 21, 1955, in Dallas, Texas) is an American professor of music, critic, analyst, and composer who has worked primarily in the New York City area. As a music critic for ''The Village Voice'' (from 1986 to 2005) and ...

's ''Transcendental Sonnets'' (New York premiere),

Harold Farberman Harold Farberman (November 2, 1929 – November 24, 2018) was an American conductor, composer and percussionist. Biography Farberman studied percussion at Juilliard, and composition at the New England Conservatory and at Tanglewood with Aaro ...

's ''Talk'' (world premiere), and Lukas Foss's ''Psalms''. James Bagwell (conductor) : March 28, 2010, Avery Fisher Hall, Beethoven's '' Symphony No. 9''. Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer, conductor : May 8, 2010, St. George's Episcopal Church, The Roots of Bach and Beyond.

Patrick Dupré Quigley Patrick Dupré Quigley is an American conductor, producer, and arranger. Quigley is Founder and Artistic Director of Seraphic Fire and Artistic Director Designate of Opera Lafayette. Quigley has focused on the music of the Classical and Baroque ...

, guest conductor

Dessoff Symphonic Choir performances

: (2010) 21st Century Symphony Orchestra,

's score to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers,

, Ludwig Wicki conductor
Official event web site
: (2010) Budapest Festival Orchestra, Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, Avery Fisher Hall, Iván Fischer, conductor
New York Times review
: (2009)

, Mahler's ''Symphony No. 8'', Avery Fisher Hall,

, conductor : (2009) New York Philharmonic, Britten's ''War Requiem'', Avery Fisher Hall, Lorin Maazel, conductor : (2009) Mahler's Symphony No. 3, Mahler for the children of AIDS benefit concert,

Carnegie Hall Carnegie Hall ( ) is a concert venue in Midtown Manhattan in New York City. It is at 881 Seventh Avenue (Manhattan), Seventh Avenue, occupying the east side of Seventh Avenue between West 56th Street (Manhattan), 56th and 57th Street (Manhatta ...

, George Mathew, conductor : (2008)

American Symphony Orchestra The American Symphony Orchestra is a New York-based American orchestra founded in 1962 by Leopold Stokowski whose mission is to demystify orchestral music and make it accessible and affordable for all audiences. Leon Botstein is the orchestra's m ...

, Rued Langgaard's ''Music of the Spheres'', Avery Fisher Hall, Leon Botstein, conductor : (2006)

NHK Symphony Orchestra The is a Japanese broadcast orchestra based in Tokyo. The orchestra gives concerts in several venues, including the NHK Hall, Suntory Hall, and the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall. History The orchestra began as the ''New Symphony Orchestra'' o ...

's '' Daphnis et Chloé'',

, Vladimir Ashkenazy, conductor : (2006) American Symphony Orchestra, Rimsky-Korsakov's ''Mozart and Salieri'', Avery Fisher Hall, Leon Botstein, conductor : (2006)

San Francisco Symphony The San Francisco Symphony (SFS), founded in 1911, is an American orchestra based in San Francisco, California. Since 1980 the orchestra has been resident at the Louise M. Davies Symphony Hall in the city's Hayes Valley neighborhood. The San Fr ...

's ''Holidays Symphony'', Carnegie Hall, Michael Tilson Thomas, conductor : (2005) Tan Dun's ''Water Passion after St. Matthew'', South Street Seaport, Tan Dun, conductor : (2004) Kronos Quartet, Terry Riley's ''Sun Rings'',

Brooklyn Academy of Music The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM) is a performing arts venue in Brooklyn, New York City, known as a center for progressive and avant-garde performance. It presented its first performance in 1861 and began operations in its present location in ...

, Aaron Smith, conductor : (2004) John Tavener's ''The Veil of the Temple'', Avery Fisher Hall, Stephen Layton, conductor : (2004)

, Charles Ives's ''Symphony No. 4'' and ''General William Booth Enters into Heaven'', Avery Fisher Hall, Alan Gilbert, conductor

Discography

:Reflections: Four Contemporary American Composers Look Back (1997), The Dessoff Choirs, Kent Tritle, conductorOmnitone
/ref> :: Paul Moravec: ''Songs of Love and War'' (first recording), David Arnold, baritone ::

Robert Convery The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of '' Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory, honou ...

: ''To the One of Fictive Music'' (first recording), Steven Ryan, Piano :: Ned Rorem: ''From an Unknown Past'' ::

John Corigliano John Paul Corigliano Jr. (born February 16, 1938) is an American composer of contemporary classical music. His scores, now numbering over one hundred, have won him the Pulitzer Prize, five Grammy Awards, Grawemeyer Award for Music Composition, an ...

: ''Fern Hill'' (first recording of revised orchestration), Mary Ann Hart, mezzo-soprano : Glories on Glories (2009), The Dessoff Choirs, James Bagwell, conductor.Available from

iTunes iTunes () is a software program that acts as a media player, media library, mobile device management utility, and the client app for the iTunes Store. Developed by Apple Inc., it is used to purchase, play, download, and organize digital mul ...

, cdBaby, and Digstation :: William Billings, ''Modern Music'', ''Jordan'', ''Chester'' (1781) ::

, ''Urbs Syon unica'' (from Hora Novissima) - (1893) ::

, ''Psalm 67'' (1897), ''Glories on Glories'' (1902), ''

Psalm 90 Psalm 90 is the 90th psalm from the Book of Psalms and the opening psalm of Book 4 of the psalms. Uniquely among the Psalms, it is attributed to Moses. It is well known for its reference in verse 10 to human life expectancy being 70 or 80 ("thre ...

'' (1924) ::

Randall Thompson Randall Thompson (April 21, 1899 – July 9, 1984) was an American composer, particularly noted for his choral works. Career Randall attended The Lawrenceville School, where his father was an English teacher. He then attended Harvard University, ...

, ''The Last Words of David'' (1949) :: Henry Clay Work '' Marching Through Georgia''/''

Battle Cry of Freedom The "Battle Cry of Freedom", also known as "Rally 'Round the Flag", is a song written in 1862 by American composer George Frederick Root (1820–1895) during the American Civil War. A patriotic song advocating the causes of Unionism and abolit ...

'' (1865)/

George F. Root George Frederick Root (August 30, 1820August 6, 1895) was an American songwriter, who found particular fame during the American Civil War, with songs such as "Tramp! Tramp! Tramp!" and "The Battle Cry of Freedom". He is regarded as the first Ame ...

(1862) ::

Tenting on the Old Camp Ground "Tenting on the Old Camp Ground" (also known as Tenting Tonight) was a popular song during the American Civil War. A particular favorite of enlisted men in the Union army, it was written in 1863 by Walter Kittredge and first performed in that yea ...

Walter Kittredge Walter Kittredge (October 6, 1834 – July 8, 1905), was a famous musician during the American Civil War. Born in Merrimack, New Hampshire, the tenth of eleven children, Kittredge was a talented self-taught musician who played the seraphine, t ...

(1864) :: Oliver Holden, ''Ode on Music'' (1792) :: Andrew Law, 'Bunker Hill' (1786) :: J. H. Moss, ''Singing School'' (1865) :: Miss M. Durham, ''Promised Land'' (1854) :: Robert Lowry, ''Beautiful River'' (1864) :: William Walker, ''Saints Bound for Heaven'' (1884) :: John McCurry, ''Weeping Mary'' (1855) :: Anonymous, ''Hallelujah'' (Original Sacred Harp, 1844) :: A. Marcus Cagle, ''Soar Away'' (Original Sacred Harp, 1971)

References

External links

*
Dessoff on YouTube
{{Authority control Choirs in New York City Musical groups established in 1930