Westchester Oratorio Society presents Bach and Poulenc in Mt Kisco featuring organist James Kennerley


Westchester Oratorio Society begins its Nineteenth Anniversary Season on Saturday evening, November 21, when the group will present J.S. Bach’s “Magnificat” and Francis Poulenc’s “Gloria” at Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco at 7:30 PM in a performance that will feature the highly acclaimed organist James Kennerley on the Church’s Von Beckerath organ.

Mr. Kennerley, a native of the United Kingdom, was Organ Scholar at Jesus College, Cambridge University and later at Saint Paul’s Cathedral, London, where he had several occasions to perform in the presence of HM the Queen. A multi-faceted musician, Kennerley has been hailed as “a great organist” with “phenomenal technique and sheer musicality” by Bloomberg News, and praised as a tenor by New Yorker critic Alex Ross. Soloists for the performance are Catherine Steinbrink, soprano, Nicole Weigelt, soprano, Mun-Tzung Wong, alto, Joshua Ryan Sanders, tenor, Robert Mellon, bass.

The oratorio society is now in its ninth season under the baton of Artistic Director, Benjamin Niemczyk. Highlighting the concert program which brings together choral works from two distinct eras, Mr. Niemczyk noted, “though Bach and Poulenc are separated by 200 years, they share a preoccupation with inventive, lyrical lines and rich, chromatic harmony, so much so that no matter the complexities, their works are beautiful, simple expressions carried out by the human voice.”

Westchester Oratorio Society is known for its performances of early music, traditional choral masterworks and contemporary pieces before local audiences with professional soloists and orchestras, and collaborations with premier groups and artists such as Tiffany Consort and REBEL Baroque Ensemble, as well as its appearances in the New York metropolitan area including at Carnegie Hall, the Brooklyn Academy of Music and the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

Holiday performances with the group’s chamber choir include at a Caramoor “Holiday Tea Musicale” on Friday, December 11 at 2 pm and at Muscoot Farm for “Holiday at the Farm,” Saturday, December 12 at 5 pm.

Rehearsals are on Tuesday evenings at the Katonah Village Library. Preparations begin in January for the spring season which includes a May 1, 2016 performance in South Salem of Britten “Rejoice in the Lamb,” Duruflé “Requiem,” and “Fauré “Cantique de Jean Racine,” with the society’s acclaimed WOS Festival Orchestra and professional soloists. Those interested in singing can call or text 347-223-9303.

Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco is located at 605 Millwood Road, Mount Kisco, NY. Tickets are $15 student, $25 General and $40 Preferred, in advance, $30 general and $50 Preferred at the door, and are available online at the group’s website, www.Westchesteroratorio.org or by telephone (914) 763-8462. For more information email WestchesterOratorio@Gmail.com. Visit the group on Facebook at www.facebook.com/westchesteroratorio and follow on Twitter @Westchesterora.

Event Location and Ticket Information

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Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco
605 Millwood Road (Route 133)
Mount Kisco, NY 10549
Handicap Accessible? Yes

Date: Saturday, November 21, 2015
Times: 7:30 pm - 9:15 pm

Ticket pricing:

Get tickets now
$15 - Student in advance
$25 - General admission in advance
$40 - Preferred seating in advance
$30 - General admission at door
$50 - Preferred at door

Presenter: Westchester Oratorio Society
Presenter Phone: (914) 763-8462
Presenter Website: Westchesteroratorio.org