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ignite | Haydn & Ramirez

Sunday, April 22 at 7 pm

Featuring Huayucaltia, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra and classical flamenco dancer Ornili Azulay

Facing each other across two continents and 200 years, two composers answer the question “What lights my fire?”

The winds of war blew uncomfortably close to Haydn as he composed his Missa in Angustiss (Mass in time of anguish). Things improved by the time Lord Nelson heard the piece and from then on it was known by the heroic Admiral’s name. Cutting costs, Haydn’s princely patron fired the wind players from his orchestra. No problem for Haydn who simply tossed off a masterpiece scored for strings, organ, trumpets and timpani. Trumpets blaring, Haydn’s mass arrives with all flags flying. It’s a thrill-a-minute work, bursting with vigor and moving from the dark to brilliant and triumphant choral passages of joy. Little wonder that many Haydn fans consider Lord Nelson the best of his famous final six masses.

Ariel Ramirez dances to a different tune. Rooted in the vibrant music, dance and folk traditions of Latin America, Misa Criolla announces its arrival with thumps of an Andean bombo drum. Riveting rhythms dance their way from high, deserted plateaus to the vast southern pampas of Argentina. There’s a hint of carnival in the Gloria and a ravishing Bolivian syncopated carnaval cochabambino for the Sanctus. Tuneful melodies weave throughout the lively score and call and responses echo among two tenor soloists and chorus.

And, surprise! With choreography that embodies the work, classical flamenco artist Ornili Azulay brings Ramirez’s masterpiece to life.

Concert sponsors: Funded in part by the E. Nakamichi Foundation and
Mellon Financial Corporation

Download a guide to the season: chorale-seasonguide0607.pdf, 1.1MB