In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Johannes Brahms. Johannes Brahms 1833-1897 German composer and pianist Johannes Bramhs was one of the most significant composers of the 19th century. His musical education began in childhood with lessons in violin with his father,… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Ina Boyle. Ina Boyle 1889-1967 The Irish composer Ina Boyle was the foremost female composer in Ireland before 1950. She lived her entire life in her family home in Enniskerry, a village in County Wicklow,… Read More →
Today, Philip explores the music of English composer Charles Villiers Stanford from the piano in Guild Hall and the organ in the Sanctuary of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Charles Villiers Stanford 1852-1924 The gifted British composer and influential teacher Sir Charles Villiers Stanford was born and raised in Dublin. He showed early promise as… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer C. Hubert H. Parry. Philip is joined by mezzo-soprano Lisa Drew. C. Hubert H. Parry 1848-1918 Sir Charles Hubert Hastings Parry was a highly influential British scholar, teacher, and composer. He was raised at Highnam… Read More →
Composer Dietrich Buxtehude is Philip’s subject today, discussing and playing the Danish-German’s music from the piano in Guild Hall and the organ in the Sanctuary of Plymouth Congregational Church in Minneapolis. Dietrich Buxtehude b. circa 1637, d. 1707 The composer and organist Dietrich Buxtehude was one of the most significant composers before J.S. Bach. He… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Samuel Barber. Samuel Barber 1910-1981 The treasured American composer Samuel Barber wrote works in nearly every genre and is especially admired for his vocal and choral music. Immersed in music from a young age, Barber… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Uzee Brown Jr. Uzee Brown Jr. b. 1950 The music of Uzee Brown Jr. is performed by choirs around the world. A native of Cowpens, South Carolina, Brown holds a Bachelor of Arts from Morehouse… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer William Walton. William Walton 1902-1983 William Walton is considered one of the most important twentieth century British composers. As a boy, he sang in his father’s church choir. He began formal study of music at… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Eleanor Daley. Eleanor Daley b. 1955 The award-winning Canadian composer Eleanor Daley was born and raised in Parry Sound, Ontario. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Organ Performance from Queen’s University in Kingston, as well… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Jean Berger. Jean Berger 1909-2002 The composer, conductor, and musicologist Jean Berger was born in Germany and began taking piano and organ lessons at a young age. He studied at the universities of Vienna and… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Marcel Dupré. Marcel Dupré 1886-1971 The virtuosic organist, teacher, and composer Marcel Dupré was born into a musical family and started as organist of St. Vivien at age twelve. He studied organ with Alexandre Guilmant… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Javier Busto. Javier Busto b. 1949 The Basque composer, conductor, and doctor Javier Busto is known for his gorgeous choral music. Born in Hondarribia, San Sebastián, Spain, Busto spent his childhood and adolescence as a… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Henk Badings, featuring mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Henk Badings 1907-1987 The prolific Dutch composer Henk Badings was born on the island of Java and moved to the Netherlands at age seven as an orphan. Facing pressure from… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Elizabeth Poston. Elizabeth Poston 1905-1987 English composer and skilled pianist Elizabeth Poston was known for her choral and vocal compositions and her compilations of songs, hymns, and carols. She was born at Highfield, Walkern, near… Read More →
In this Musical Moment, VocalEssence artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle shares insider information and beautiful music by the composer Charles Ives, featuring mezzo-soprano Clara Osowski. Charles Ives 1874-1954 American composer Charles Ives is best known for his experimental music that influenced generations of composers. Born in Danbury, Connecticut, Ives began his musical education under… Read More →
