Role

:

Ensemble

Period

:

Romantic

 

 

Modern

Genre

:

Choral

 

 

Orchestral

 

The Oregon Bach Festival Women's Choir is a renowned classical music ensemble that has been captivating audiences with their stunning performances for over three decades. Founded in 1990 by conductor and artistic director Helmuth Rilling, the choir has become a beloved fixture of the Oregon Bach Festival, an annual celebration of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach and other great composers. The Women's Choir is made up of approximately 50 singers, all of whom are women from the Eugene, Oregon area. The choir is known for its exceptional musicianship and its ability to perform a wide range of choral music, from the works of Bach and other Baroque composers to contemporary pieces by living composers. One of the highlights of the Women's Choir's history was their performance at the 1993 Oregon Bach Festival, where they premiered a new work by composer Arvo Pärt. The piece, titled "Berliner Messe," was a setting of the Catholic Mass that blended traditional Latin texts with Pärt's signature minimalist style. The Women's Choir's performance of the piece was widely praised, and it helped to establish the choir's reputation as a leading interpreter of contemporary choral music. Over the years, the Women's Choir has performed at many other major events and festivals, both in the United States and abroad. They have appeared at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., the Ravinia Festival in Chicago, and the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland, among many others. They have also collaborated with a number of other prominent musicians and ensembles, including the Los Angeles Philharmonic, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, and the Tallis Scholars. In addition to their live performances, the Women's Choir has also released several acclaimed recordings. Their 1995 album "Cantate Domino" featured works by Bach, Pärt, and other composers, and it won a Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance. They have also recorded albums of music by American composers, including William Billings and Aaron Copland. Throughout their history, the Women's Choir has been led by a number of distinguished conductors. Helmuth Rilling served as the choir's founding conductor and artistic director until 2000, when he was succeeded by Anton Armstrong. Armstrong, who is also the conductor of the St. Olaf Choir, led the Women's Choir for 10 years before passing the baton to Sharon Paul in 2010. Paul, who is also the director of choral activities at the University of Oregon, has continued to lead the choir to great success. In addition to their many performances and recordings, the Women's Choir has also been recognized with numerous awards and honors. In addition to their Grammy win, they have also received the ASCAP/Chorus America Award for Adventurous Programming and the Margaret Hillis Award for Choral Excellence from Chorus America. They have also been named the Best Classical Vocal Ensemble by the Eugene Weekly. Overall, the Oregon Bach Festival Women's Choir is a remarkable ensemble that has made a significant contribution to the world of classical music. With their exceptional musicianship, their commitment to performing a wide range of choral music, and their many accolades and honors, they have established themselves as one of the premier choral ensembles in the world.

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