The Montclair Presbyterian Church choir has performed a wide range of modern and classical works over the years. We hope you enjoy the samples included below.
Works by Buxtehude, Telemann, and Corelli
On Sunday, Dec 2nd 2018, the Montclair Presbyterian Church choir performed works by Dietrich Buxtehude and G. P. Telemann, accompanied by a string trio. The trio (violinists Shauna Revelli and Rich Larsen and cellist Katherine Baird) also played works by Arcangelo Corelli for the prelude and postlude.
Visit the page for this performance
Vesperae Solennes de Confessore (W. A. Mozart)
On Sunday June 10, 2018, directed by Kim Rankin, the MPC choir presented Mozart’s “Vesperae solennes de confessore” (or “Solemn Vespers”). Despite its somber title, this work for choir, solo quartet, and string ensemble is actually quite joyful! Written in 1780, the Vespers was composed by Mozart for liturgical use in Salzburg Cathedral. Its six movements are settings of Psalm texts and the Magnificat. The music shows Mozart at his most ebullient, and the lyrical “Laudate Dominum” for soprano solo and choir is one of his most sublime creations.
Our choir was joined by a string quartet and by professional vocal soloists from local opera companies.
Ein Feste Burg (J.S. Bach)
On Sunday, Nov 8, 2015, the MPC Choir, directed by Music Director Kim Rankin and accompanied by the Montclair Chamber Orchestra, performed Cantata 80 by J.S. Bach. Details about the performance are included below, along with links for listening to the music in MP3 format.
Prelude: Sinfonia in D from Cantata 29
Commentary by Kim Rankin, MPC Music Director
1. Chorus: Ein’ feste Burg ist unser Gott
2. Aria and Duet (bass and soprano): Alles, was von Gott geboren
3. Recitative and Arioso (bass): Erwäge doch, Kind Gottes
4. Aria (soprano): Komm in mein Herzenshaus
5. Chorale: Und wenn die Welt voll Teufel wär
6. Recitative and Arioso (tenor): So stehe denn bei Christi blutgefärbten Fahne
7. Duet (alto, tenor): Wie selig sind doch die, die Gott im Munde tragen
8. Chorale: Das Wort sie sollen lassen stahn
Postlude: Wir danken dir, Gott, Opening chorus from Cantata 29
Requiem (W.A. Mozart)
On Good Friday (March 29), 2013, at 7:00 pm, the MPC Choir presented their spring major choral work: a performance of Mozart’s Requiem. This date was chosen as the best setting for Mozart’s heart-wrenching, soul-stirring musical response to the human realities of suffering and death. For this performance, the MPC Choir was joined by singers from several other Bay Area choirs, including the Oakland Symphony Chorus, the UC Alumni Chorus, the Pacific Boychoir, and other area church choirs. Our orchestra and quartet of professional vocal soloists were particularly fine this year. The choir had been rehearsing and living with this astonishing music for the past two months, and it was a wonderful experience to share it with you at the end of our communal Lenten journey.
- Requiem (Introitus)
- Dies Irae
- Tuba Mirum
- Rex Tremendae
- Recordare
- Confutatis
- Lacrymosa
- Domine Jesu
- Benedictus
- Agnus Dei
- Ave Verum Corpus (closing music, also composed by Mozart)
Learn more about the Requiem
The Mozart Requiem (Wikipedia)
Read an English translation of the text