Choirs and musical programmes 2023

Suhar Choir is a male choir formed in the autumn of 2018, with the goal of performing its repertoire to the highest degree, and comprises around thirty experienced voices in the chorus. Esteban Urzelai Eizagirre, assistant conductor of Spanish National Choir, is the main force beyond this project. Born in Oñati, he has extensive experience and broad recognition in the choir world, and the SUHAR Gizon Korua has become his personal project. To help him with his goals, he has brought together other important figures from the world of music and choirs, such as pianist Amaia Zipitria, herself a professor in Musikene, the Higher School of Music of the Basque Country.

Male Choir Suhar aims to be a bond that will blend tradition and modernity, that is to say, based on our coral past, it intends to build the foundations of a future where men’s voices will have a unique place in musical creation and cultural production.

OPENING CONCERT
José Juan Santesteban (1809–1884): GOIZEKO IZARRA (Basque Folk song)
Unpublished
Junkal Guerrero (1968): MUTIL TXALEKO GORRI (Basque Folk song)
CM ediciones
Francisco Madina (1907–1972): BETI ESKAMA KENTZEN (Basque Folk song)
Unpublished

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): O BEATA TRINITAS, TE INVOCAMUS, OM 3/3 (Feast of the most Holy Trinity Antiphon)
Astrum Music Publication
Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy (1809–1847): ZWEI GEISTLICHE MANNERCHORE, op. 115: 1. Beati mortui (Raz 14:13/Revelation 14:13)
Breitkopf & Härtel
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD 

FREE PROGRAM
Eva Ugalde (1973): AVE MARIS STELLA (Marian Hymn of the Vespers)
CM ediciones
Francis Poulenc (1899–1963): QUATRE PETITES PRIÈRES DE SAINT FRANÇOIS D’ASSISE (St. Francis of Assisi): 2. Tout puissant, très saint
Éditions Salabert
Richard Strauss (1864–1949): TRAUMLICHT (Friedrich Rückert)
Boosey & Hawkes
Andres Lemba (1968): GLORIA (Roman Missal – Mass Ordinary)
Estonian Music Information Centre

GRAND PRIX
Eduardo Mocoroa (1867–1959): SORGIN DANTZA (Basque Folk song)
Unpublished
Xabier Sarasola (1960): IPAR HAIZE HOTZ ZURIA (Joxe Antonio Artze)
Unpublished
Jake Runestad (1986): SAYAREH (vocalise)
JR Music (ASCAP)

Zero8 was founded in 2007 to create a men’s choir that can perform a diverse repertoire at a high level. They mould various genres into a unique style and sound. Most of its members studied at Stockholm’s music schools and universities. Since 2015, the chorus is led by Rasmus Krigström – director, arranger, composer, singer and international barbershop gold medallist with Ringmasters quartet (2012).

The chorus has taken part in Rimini International Choral Competition, distinguished European Festival of Youth Choirs Basel, Moscow Easter Festival, and Karuizawa International Choral Festival (Japan). Among their friends is the Georgian male choir Mdzlevari, whom they visited in Tbilisi for joint concert and musical exchange (2017). They performed with Choras Bel Canto at the »Open to the world« festival in Vilnius (2022). This year, they will be guest performers at the Taipei International Choral Festival.

Since 2008, they won many gold medals at all Nordic and European Barbershop Championships, and were 3rd at the 2019 International Barbershop Championship in Salt Lake City, USA.

Zero8 has recorded six studio albums, including the classical album Mes Très Chers Frères that received Contemporary A Cappella Recording Award (CARA) by CASA.

OPENING CONCERT
Rasmus Krigström (1986): LIMU, LIMU, LIMA (Swedish Folk song)
Unpublished
Per Jonas Fredrik Villhelm (1843–1904): HEJ, DUNKOM SÅ LÄNGE VI LEVOM (Swedish Folk song)

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): DE COELO VENIET DOMINATOR DOMINUS, OM 1/26 (Advent Hymn of the Vespers)
CPDL
Max Reger (187–1916): SIEBEN MÄNNERCHÖRE, op. 38: 2. Frühlingsruf (Adolf Kleber)
Edition Universal
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD 

FREE PROGRAM
Mamia Khatelishvili (1932–1987): KHORUMI (vocalise)
JW Pepper
Richard Strauss (1864–1949): DREI MÄNNERCHÖRE: 2. Traumlicht  (Friedrich Rückert)
Boosey & Hawkes
Rasmus Krigström (1986): SONETT 116 (William Shakespeare)
Unpublished
Francis Poulenc (1899–1963): QUATRE PETITES PRIÈRES DE SAINT FRANÇOIS D’ASSISE (St. Francis of Assisi): 1. Salut, Dame Sainte
Editions Salabert

GRAND PRIX
Francis Poulenc (1899–1963): QUATRE PETITES PRIÈRES DE SAINT FRANÇOIS D’ASSISE (St. Francis of Assisi): 2. Tout puissant, très saint
Editions Salabert
Toru Takemitsu (1930–1996): WIND HORSE (vocalise)
Schott Music
Jay Giallombardo (1950): SURE ON THIS SHINING NIGHT (James Agee)
Unpublished
Aaron Dale: DIDN’T MY LORD DELIVER DANIEL (spiritual)
Unpublished

Coralia, concert choir of the University of Puerto Rico, was praised in Spain as »a choir of mesmerizing voices«. It is undoubtedly a prestigious ensemble that takes part in a long-standing choral tradition at the Rio Piedras Campus, which dates to 1936. Founded in 1982 by its conductor Carmen Acevedo Lucío, Coralia is comprised of students and alumni who have vast choral experience and a solid musical background. Initially, the concert choir was created as a workshop to provide a space for maximizing both musical and performing skills of its members, focusing on putting together highly challenging choral repertoire. The latter consists of music from all historical periods, as well as traditional American, Caribbean, and Puerto Rican folklore.

Coralia has collaborated on numerous occasions with the Puerto Rico Symphony Orchestra and Casals Festival of Puerto Rico, under the baton of renowned local and international figures like Margaret Hillis, Krzysztof Penderecki, Helmuth Rilling, Yoav Talmi, Guillermo Figueroa, Gustavo Dudamel, and Maximiano Valdés. They have also represented Puerto Rico in a wide variety of festivals and choral competitions around the world.

OPENING CONCERT
Juan Morel Campos (1857–1896)/Augusto Rodríguez: LA CONGA (Francisco Arrivi)
Editorial Cordillera
Enrique Bayoán Ríos Escribano (1982): PLENA BORINQUEÑA (Enrique Bayoán Ríos Escribano, Traditional from Puerto Rico)
Fonorama Inc., Selfpublished

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): VIRI SANCTI, OM 4/2 (Antiphon for Martyr’s Day)
ZRC SAZU Ljubljana
Robert Schumann (1810–1856): VIER DOPPELCHÖRIGE GESÄNGE, op. 141: 2. Ungewisses Licht (Joseph Christian von Zedlitz)
CPDL
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD 

FREE PROGRAM
Claudio Monteverdi (1567–1643): A UN GIRO SOL DE’ BEGLI’ OCCHI (Giovanni Battista Guarini)
CPDL
Josu Elberdin (1976): GAUR AKELARRE (Josu Elberdin)
Walton Music
Tine Bec (1993): AVE MARIS STELLA (Vespers hymn on Feasts of Our Lady, 9^th Century)
Astrum Music Publications
Levente Gyöngyösi (1975): PUER NATUS IN BETHLEHEM (Christmas hymn)
Kontrapunkt Music

GRAND PRIX
Ko Matsushita (1962): JUBILATE DEO (Ps 100)
Carus Verlag
Ivo Antognini (1963): O GLORIOSA DOMINA (Venantius Fortunatus)
Hal Leonard
Ángel Cucco Peña (1948): BOMBA E’ (Ángel Cucco Peña)
Selfpublished

Alumni of Diocessan Classical Gymnasium sing in the choir, establisheded in 2003 on the incentive of conductor and composer Damijan Močnik. It has since evolved into a topmost ensemble that often also performs outside Slovenia – in Europe, Canada and United States. The choir regularly collaborates with important orchestras and conductors, performing more extensive vocal-instrumental scores. Directed by Gary Graden, the choir performed a high-profile project of music by J. S. Bach, alongside the newly-founded Megaron Baroque Orchestra, led by Marie Lindal. It recorded two albums: Prišla je luč (The light has come), featuring Christmas music by Slovenian composers, and Ptičice pojo (Birdies are singing) – Slovenian folksong arrangements.

In July 2021, it performed with great success at the Europa Cantat Festival in Ljubljana, presenting Slovenian sacred and Romantic music to international public. Megaron takes pride in excellent competition rankings, including gold and best performance of a 20th century composition at last year’s Naša pesem national competition in Maribor. In Marktoberdort, it was the best mixed choir, won the second overall prize, as well as two special prizes (best obligatory renaissance composition and best programme) of the competition.

OPENING CONCERT
JA, VISOKA JE GORA (Folk song from North Slovenia)
zapis GNI SAZU
OJ, DEKLICA, POVEJ MI TO (Slovene Folk song from Sele, South Austria)
zapis GNI SAZU
MENE GLAVICA BOLI (Folk song from Luče, East Slovenia)
po zapisu GNI SAZU prilagodil Damijan Močnik
GRE ALBA SË ČEZ BUŽICO (Folk song of the Slovene minority in Resia/Italy)
po zapisu Pavleta Merkuja prilagodil Damijan Močnik  

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): OMNES DE SABA VENIENT, OM 1/55 (Is 60:6b)
Astrum Music Publication
Robert Schumann (1810–1856): VIER DOPPELCHÖRIGE GESÄNGE, op. 141: 4. Talismane (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
CPDL
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Damijan Močnik (1967): PROŠNJA (Is 63, 15-17)
Astrum Music Publication
Charles Hubert Hastings Parry (1848–1918): MY SOUL, THERE IS A COUNTRY (Henry Vaughan)
CPDL
Uroš Krek (1922–2008): DESIDERIUM EXULIS (Ps 42)
Pizzicato
Nikolai Golovanov (1891–1953): OTČE NAŠ (Lord’s Prayer)
Musica Russica

GRAND PRIX
Marijan Lipovšek (1910–1995) LETSKI MOTIV I. (Josip Murn – Aleksandrov)
JSKD
Einojuhani Rautvaara (1928–2016): SUITE DE LORCA (Federico García Lorca)
3. La luna asoma 
4. Malagueña 
Sulasol 
Kim Andre Arnesen (1980): EVEN WHEN HE IS SILENT (Anonymus, 20^th Century)
Norsk Musikforlag
Damijan Močnik (1967) ZELENI POLOG/HOMMAGE A PAVLE MERKÙ (Folk song of the Slovene minority in Resia/Italy)
Manuscript

Malang Choral Art was founded in 2018 with the aim to perform diverse choral music programme to a degree of artistic excellency. The singers are gathered from the alumni of the choirs once led by the conductor Budi Susanto Yohanes. Malang ChoralArt recruits its members based not only on their musicality skill but especially on their personality. By maintaining good relations between the members, the family atmosphere is always felt around them.

The choir rehearse regularly twice a week in Malang city to prepare the concerts, performances, and competitions. In addition to performing classical choral works, this choir also focuses on developing traditional music, as well as premiering works by some of Indonesian choral composers. Important thematic concerts include Italian Madrigal Concert (Lasso, Monteverdi, Gabrielli), performed a cappella in 2018, German Romantic Concert (Brahms, Schubert, Mendelssohn), Musicalization of Tengsoe Tjahjono ́s poetry in choral music presentation, as well as Indonesian and Asian sacred music concert. Recently, they received Level III Mixed Choirs Achievement for good international-level performance in 17th International Chamber Choir Competition Marktoberdorf 2022.

OPENING CONCERT
Budi Susanto Yohanes (1979): PISO SURIT (Karo celebration song)
Unpublished, © Budi Susanto Yohanes

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): MIRABILE MYSTERIUM, OM 1/54 (Antiphon in Christmas Octave)
ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana
Heinrich von Herzogenberg (1843–1900): SECHS GESÄNGE, op. 57: 2. Die Bekehrte (Johann Wolfgang von Goethe)
IMSLP
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Pawel Łukaszewski (1968): O SAPIENTIA (Antiphon)
PWE Edition, Krakow
Gabriel Jackson (1962): A PRAYER OF KING HENRY VI (King Henry VI)
Oxford University Press
Tine Bec (1993): DELIVER ME, O LORD (Text from Office of the Dead)
Astrum Music Publication

GRAND PRIX
Rhona Clarke (1958): AVE ATQUE VALE (Gaius Valerius Catullus)
Contemporary Music Centre, Ireland 
Gabriel Jackson (1962): A PRAYER OF KING HENRY VI (King Henry VI)
Oxford University Press
Budi Susanto Yohanes (1979): TAK TONG TONG (West Sumatra Folk song)
Unpublished, ©Budi Susanto Yohanes

Part of Emil Komel Slovenian Music Education Centre, the mixed youth choir was founded in 2008. In 2013, conductor David Bandelj assumed its leadership. Since, the choir has been regularly participating in different national and international competitions, winning awards. Standing out among their achievements is first prize in non-sacred programme, second prize in compulsory programme and qualifying in the Grand prix at Il polifonico Arezzo in 2019. The choir has performed several novel compositions by Slovenian and Italian composers and collaborated with orchestra in concert season series. It took part in workshops by internationally renowned conductors, issued two albums, and is now recording a third one. Last year, the choir was golden an the 27th Naša Pesem national competition where it also won third prize ex aequo and two special prizes: for best debutant of the competition and best performance of contemporary Slovenian composition.

OPENING CONCERT
Pavle Merkù (1927–2014): VODA RAJNA (Slovenian pilgrim song from Veneto, Italy)
Astrum Music Publication
GRE ALBA ŽE ČEZ BUŽICO (Slovenian Folk song from Resia, North-East Italy)
ZOKS/JSKD
JNJEN ČEUA JTI GNA’ (Slovenian Folk song from Resia, North-East Italy)
ZKOS/JSKD

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): DOMINE DEUS EXAUDI ORATIONEM SERVORUM, OM 3/56 (passages from Psalms, Anonymus)
ZRC SAZU Ljubljana
Joseph Gabriel Rheinberger (1839–1901): ANIMA NOSTRA op. 133/1 (Ps 124)
CPDL
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Marijan Lipovšek (1910–1995): RICHEPINOV MOTIV (Srečko Kosovel)
JSKD
Patrick Quaggiato (1983): SVOBODA V SNU (Luka Paljk)
Manuscript
Lorenzo Donati (1972): SICUT CERVUS (Ps 42)
lorenzodonati.com

GRAND PRIX
John Farmer (1570–1601): FAIR PHYLLIS (Anonymus)
CPDL
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): WARUM IST DAS LICHT GEGEBEN DEM MÜHSELIGEN? (Job 3, 20–26)
CPDL
Tadeja Vulc (1978): SONČNE URE/SUNDIALS (Texts from Sundials): 6. The Shadow
Selfpublished

The University of Latvia Mixed Choir JUVENTUS is the oldest university choir in Latvia. Since its establishment in 1920, the choir has consistently been one of the strongest amateur choirs in Latvia. Since 2014, Valdis Tomsons has been Artistic Director. Tomsons works with vocal teacher Natalie Begma and choirmaster Ruta Oleksa.

JUVENTUS has participated and won awards in several local and international competitions. In 2017, it won the Grand Prix award and 1st place in the mixed choirs category at the 53rd International Choir Festival in Montreux (Switzerland). They doubled this achievement in 2018 at the Mundus Cantat competition in Sopot (Poland). They were special guests at the International Choir Symposium and Festival on Jeju Island (South Korea). The choir has participated in all Latvian Song Festivals, obtaining first places in competitions and Choir battles annually.

In May 2022, JUVENTUS released an album »Jauns sākums« (New Beginning) with original choral miniatures from 12 latvian composers commissioned by JUVENTUS due to the choir’s 100th anniversary. Choir premiered those 12 songs on 21st of May in Riga.

OPENING CONCERT
Laura Jekabsone (1985): RASA (Laura Jekabsone, Latvian folk songs and lyrics)
Unpublished

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): MUSICA, NOSTER AMOR, M 28 (Anonymus)
ZRC SAZU Ljubljana
Josef Gabriel Rheinberger (1839–1901): MISSA IN ES-DUR, Op. 109 (Roman Missal – Mass Ordinary): Kyrie eleison
Carus-Verlag
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD

FREE PROGRAM
Peteris Vasks (1946): MATE SAULE (Janis Peters)
Schott Music GmbH & Co. KG 5
Alexi Matchavariani (1913–1995): DOLURI (Joseb Noneshvili)
Unpublished
Rihards Zalupe (1983): SAUCIENS VEJA (Sondra Zalupe)
GreenRiver MUSIC

GRAND PRIX
Janis Kirsis (1988): UN PRET SAVAS TAUTAS DZIESMU (Imants Ziedonis)
Unpublished
Jekabs Jancevskis (1992): AETERNUM (Peteris Bruveris)
Musica Baltica
Juris Karlsons (1967): NESLEGTAIS GREDZENS (Janis Rainis): 3. ROTALA
Earthsongs

Mornington Singers is a mixed-voice choir based in Dublin, Ireland. Founded in 1997 by a group of university music graduates, the choir now includes members from around the world, united by a shared commitment to singing together. It is deeply involved in the promotion of choral music, including the commissioning of new pieces, public workshops, and outreach events. They recently commissioned a major new work from Irish composer John Buckley with the support of the Arts Council, and held a successful choral composition competition for Irish composers in 2014.

The choir has recorded five discs of choral music, most recently two CDs of Irish contemporary music: To the Northeast (Divine Arts, 2019) and Under-Song (2017). In addition to its own concert programmes, the choir has sung on film soundtracks and in concert with Andrea Bocelli, Lesley Garrett and David Puttnam. Mornington Singers’ most recent awards include 1st Prize and the Grand Prix at the 4th International Baltic Sea Choir Competition in Jūrmala, Latvia, held in September 2019, and Ireland’s Choir of the Year 2019 at the 65th Cork International Choral Festival. The choir has been conducted by Dr Orla Flanagan since 2002.

OPENING CONCERT
Desmond Earley (1974): MO GHILE MEAR (Seán “Clárach” Mac Domhnaill, Irish traditional)
Seolta Music
John Buckley (1951): KITTY OF COLERAINE (Anonymus, Irish traditional)
CMC

COMPULSORY PROGRAM
Jacobus Handl – Gallus (1550–1591): ELISABETHAE VERO IMPLETUM EST TEMPUS, OM 4/20 (Luke 1, 57–63)
ZRC SAZU, Ljubljana
Edward Elgar (1857–1934): LOVE’S TEMPEST (Rosa Newmarch)
CPDL
Nana Forte (1981): GODEC PRED PEKLOM (Folk song from Adrijanci, North-East Slovenia)
JSKD 

FREE PROGRAM
Heinrich Schutz (1585–1672): DAS IST JE GEWISSLICH WAHR (1 Timothy 1,15–17)
IMSLP
Johannes Brahms (1833–1897): NACHTWACHE II, op. 104/2 (Friedrich Rückert)
CPDL
Roxanna Panufnik (1968): LOVE ENDURETH (Ps 136)
Peters/Voces8
György Orbán (1947): PANGE LINGUA (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Ars Nova Editio

GRAND PRIX
Henry Purcell (c.1659–1695): I WAS GLAD (Ps. 122)
CPDL
Nana Forte (1982): TANTO TEMPORE (John 14:9,10)
Gehrmans Musikförlag
György Orbán (1947): PANGE LINGUA (St. Thomas Aquinas)
Ars Nova Editio
Benjamin Britten (1913–1976): ADVANCE DEMOCRACY (Randall Swingler)
Boosey & Hawkes