A few weeks ago, NB announced that a finalist from our 2010 Commission Competition had written a work inspired by the proposal he submitted to BCE. Although not the winner, his work was based on our concert theme and was written for the love of it! This week, BCE received word that Ruth Haber, an [...]

About a month ago, BCE presented TENEBRÆ in which we explored the vast and moving body of works intended for Tenebræ services. Although the concert is behind us, this week—and especially today—Christians all over the world are observing the ancient traditions of Holy Week. In fact, the three Tenebræ services (explained here) from which our March [...]

Friends of BCE may remember that the Ensemble has enjoyed a relationship with ZUMIX is recent years. Zumix, a non-profit based in East Boston, is a cultural organization dedicated to building community through music and the arts. They program top-quality cultural activities as an alternative way for young people to deal with frustration, anger, and [...]

Still trying to get a read on Paul Crabtree’s Tenebræ Responsories? Then be sure to hear the Dylan too! NB’s put together a mix on iTunes to collect all nine of the songs that inspired Paul. Listen and enjoy…

During BCE’s 5th season, the Ensemble performed Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil, Op. 37, also known as his Vespers. This setting of the Orthodox liturgy for evening services is a landmark in the Russian choral tradition, even though it was written when Rachmaninoff was already living in the US. In the performance, BCE was lucky to be joined [...]

As American’s begin to think about how to work-off all that turkey and those mashed potatoes, audiences in South Africa are being treated to the music of BCE friend, Thomas Jennefelt. The programs are presented by the Drakensberg Boys’ Choir (aka The Drakies), one of the world’s premiere boy choirs. They’ll be presenting Jennefelt’s Hosianna [...]

As Villarosa wraps up, BCE begins to look toward our next program: TENEBRÆ. The centerpiece of which is Paul Crabtree’s Tenebræ Responsories on Songs by Bob Dylan. Paul’s music is heard around the country and below is an excerpt from a concert announcement at Westminster Choir College where his Meanwhile (2009) will receive a second [...]

NB’s happy to bring you a little diversion today: a choral work by Thomas Jennefelt presented here in video. The performance is from the 10th International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf and is performed by the Collegium Vocale conducted by Thomas Caplin of Norway. The work, O Domine, is from 1983 and is for mixed voices [...]

When NB interviewed Miguel Felipe, BCE’s music director, back in September, he told us about BCE’s East Coast premiere of Paul Crabtree’s Tenebræ Responsories slated for the Ensemble’s TENEBRÆ concert in March 2010. BCE’s hardly the first, however, to program the music of the British-born composer Paul Crabtree. This San Francisco resident has appeared on [...]

Last week, composer Nico Muhly joined indie-rock friends Thomas Bartlett and Sam Amidon to present a concert that got reviewed in the The New York Times. This missed connection? BCE has done Muhly’s work before: I Cannot Attain Unto It (2005). His piece certainly has echoes of the Jennefelt style we’ll perform in the fall (e.g., repeated [...]