American Public Media and Classical Minnesota Public Radio will present a new VocalEssence radio special,  Song of Joy: The Mendelssohns, hosted by John Birge. The one-hour program will air on Easter Sunday, April 9, at noon on YourClassical Minnesota Public Radio 99.5 FM in the Twin Cities and online at yourclassical.org. It will be available for stations nationwide via American Public Media.

Song of Joy: The Mendelssohns is a joyful hour of music for chorus and orchestra which captures the spirit of Easter and the rebirth of spring. VocalEssence sings works by the siblings Felix and Fanny Mendelssohn. Felix was allowed to become a famous composer, even as that career path was closed to his equally talented sister. Song of Joy: The Mendelssohns features choral settings by both, showcasing the siblings’ enormous talent, culminating with a festive Hymn of Praise based on Psalms and other biblical texts.

PROGRAM:

HIOB (JOB) BY FANNY MENDELSSOHN

Mari Scott, soprano
Robin Helgen, alto
Bill Pederson, tenor
Michael Schmidt, bass
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Orchestra
G. Phillip Shoultz, III, conductor

LOBGESANG (HYMN OF PRAISE) BY FELIX MENDELSSOHN

Nicholas Chalmers, tenor
JoAnna Johnson, soprano I
Elsa Buck, soprano II
VocalEssence Chorus & Ensemble Singers
Orchestra
Philip Brunelle, conductor