2023-2024 Performance Season – A Fantastic Season!
Fantasy and Fairytales
In Fantasy and Fairytales, renowned pianist and composer Deborah Offenhauser was the piano soloist for our performance of Beethoven’s “Choral Fantasy.” Vocal soloists for the work were members from the ProMusica Arizona Chorale. The April concerts also included the premiere of “Argonautika Suite” by Thomas Hartwell, inspired by Jason and the Argonauts and the Greek epic poem Argonautica. Thomas has been with ProMusica Arizona for many years and creates the video presentations that enhance our concerts. He is an accomplished musician and composer, as well. We are excited to have performed his work! Other fun features were “Imaginary Creatures,” with poems written by elementary school children and set to music by Andrea Ramsey; “The Tortoise and the Hare,” set by Darmon Meador; and “Alice’s Theme” from Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. In addition, the orchestra played Mozart’s “Overture to the Magic Flute.” The Chorale was featured on Morten Lauridsen’s beautiful “Dirait-on,” and “Nella Fantasia,” made famous by the vocal sensation “Il Divo” from the film “The Mission.”
Performance times/venues:
April 13 at 3:30 pm at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix
April 14 at 3:30 pm at American Lutheran Church in Sun City
Winter Fantasy
Winter Fantasy was a journey through the centuries beginning with new settings of ancient carols “Personent Hodie,” “Sussex Carol,” and “Sing We Now of Christmas.” The orchestra was featured on “Toccata on I Saw Three Ships,” “Fantasia on We Three Kings,” and “The Bells of Christmas.” “Christmas Traditions,” a setting of multiple carols for choir, orchestra, and audience by local composer and friend of PMAZ Arlin Snesrud gave everyone a chance to participate in the singing of beloved Christmas carols. The ProMusica Arizona Chorale was featured in the gorgeous setting of Franz Biebl’s “Ave Maria.” There were a few other musical surprises, as well, all culminating with a rousing finale of “Do You Hear What I Hear.”
Performance times/venues:
December 16 at 3:30 pm at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix
December 17 at 3:30 pm at American Lutheran Church in Sun City
Musical Dreams
Musical Dreams kicked off our 21st season with favorites like “Over the Rainbow;” “Dream a Little Dream of Me;” a reimagined, exciting rendition of Carly Simon’s “Let the River Run” arranged by choral legend Craig Hella Johnson (Conspirare); and a new arrangement of “When You Wish Upon a Star.” The ProMusica Arizona Orchestra was be featured playing Mendelssohn’s “Overture to a Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the overture to the opera Hansel and Gretel. Touching settings of “Dreams” by local composer Christine Temple Evans, with text by William B. Yeats; the e.e.cummings text [i carry your heart with me], set tenderly and beautifully by David Dickau; Kim Andre Arneson’s moving “Flight Song,” with words by Welsh poet Euan Tait; and “Measure Me, Sky” by Jonathon Reid, with text by Leonora Speyer, resonated deeply. The program closed with choir and orchestra joining together in Mary McDonald’s “This is the Dream,” inspired by Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech.
Performance times/venues:
October 21 at 3:30 pm at All Saints Lutheran Church in Phoenix
October 22 at 3:30 pm at American Lutheran Church in Sun City