Although the Competition jury had to pick only one winner—Vahram Sargsyan—they were enthusiastic about a number of other winners and chose three for honorable mention. Read on for more about these composers and their wonderful music. Iman Habibi Iman Habibi, BMUS, is an award-winning composer and pianist whose music has been performed by prestigious ensembles [...]

On December 21, 2009, the Boston Choral Ensemble announced Vahram Sargsyan as the winner of the Ensemble’s 3rd annual Commission Competition. Just last week, we talked more about the process and promised to introduce you to Vahram soon. Vahram Sargsyan is an Armenian composer who has written orchestral, chamber and choral works that have been performed in [...]

Earlier this winter, on January 14, NB posted a series of audio clips from a 2009 interview with BCE’s Miguel Felipe and composer Paul Crabtree. In that interview, Paul discussed his personal story. Today, with the concert only days away, we present the second half of the interview when Paul describes the genesis of his [...]

In 2007 Crabtree’s Tenebræ Responsories received their first concert performance. The concert was presented by Conspirare, under Craig Hella Johnson, in Texas. In preparation for that program, a short written interview was prepared and we thought it might be nice to reprint this for BCE audiences. Thanks to Paul Crabtree for sharing this… and see [...]

For many of the same reasons that Tenebræ texts attracted composers hundreds of years ago, composers like Paul Crabtree are drawn today. A prominent example of a 20th-century setting are the few Tenebræ settings by French composer Francis Poulenc (1899–1963). Poulenc was born into a wealthy family and his father, Emile Poulenc, was from the [...]

BCE’s music director, Miguel Felipe, met with composer Paul Crabtree during 2009 and was able to ask him about himself, his music, and about the Tenebrae Responsories. Here is the first part of that interview where Paul introduces himself to BCE audiences. Question #1 Paul talks about his musical background beginning with growing up and [...]

Paul Crabtree is the composer of Tenebræ Responsories on Song by Bob Dylan which BCE will perform in an East Coast premiere later this winter. As we explore the music, it’s especially important to understand Paul and his approach to music. Later we’ll have audio clips of an interview with Paul but for now we [...]

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 [...]

The Boston Choral Ensemble released the following press release this morning: BOSTON – December 21, 2009 – The Boston Choral Ensemble is pleased to announce the winner of its third annual Commission Competition: Armenian composer and conductor Vahram Sargsyan.  A native of Armenia’s capital city, Yerevan, Sargsyan has been awarded numerous prizes for his choral, [...]