Pasatiempo | Mark Tiarks | Link to Article

FOR THE EARS

Choral Music in Bloom

A Rose in Winter, Santa Fe Desert Chorale’s holiday program for 2024, starts with music by four composers and arrangers who know a thing or two about winter. Three are Norwegian — Bjørn Kåre Odde, Ørjan Matre, and Gjermund Larsen — while Gunnar Eriksson was Swedish. The floral section is next, with Bob Chilcott’s “Rose in the Middle of Winter” and Shawn Kirchner’s arrangement of “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming.”

After “Serenity,” a setting of the “O Magnum Mysterium” text by Norwegian choral specialist Ola Gjeilo, comes a set of six well-known carols, including “What Child is This?” “O Holy Night,” “Rise Up Shepherd,” and the “Sussex Carol.” Elizabeth Poston’s “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” and “Silent Night” conclude the program. Desert Chorale Music Director Joshua Habermann conducts the 24-voice professional chorus, as well as Elizabeth Young on violin and Nathan Salazar on piano.

The full chorale is also offering a pay-what-you-wish family concert as part of its Insights and Sounds program at 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, December 19, at the Santa Fe Farmers Market Pavilion. Snacks will be served, and there will be a meet-the-performers opportunity after the concert. Advance registration is required.

details
7 p.m. Friday, December 13, also December 14, 17, 20, and 21; 4 and 7 p.m. December 22
Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi
131 Cathedral Place
$22-$114
505-988–2282; desertchorale.org