Oakland East Bay Symphony Presents 'Saints and Sinners' on May 3 May 3, 2013

Oakland East Bay Symphony (OEBS) and Music Director Michael Morgan will present a dramatic musical program, featuring works exploring the heights of heaven and the depths of hell, with "Saints and Sinners." The powerhouse program features Bach's choral masterpiece, "Magnificat," performed by soprano Shaunette Sulker, countertenor William Sauerland, tenor Trey Costerisan, baritone Nikolas Nackley and including the Pacific Boychoir, led by Artistic Director Kevin Fox. The evening will also include Beethoven's last piano concerto, the "Emperor" Concerto, with pianist and recent Grammy nominee Terrence Wilson. "Le Chasseur Maudit" by Franck and a world premiere of Daniel Reiter's "Mysterium," part of the New Visions/New Vistas Commissioning Project, round out a program of immense depth. A pre-concert talk by John Kendall Bailey will commence at 7 p.m.

"Saints and Sinners" explores a range of emotions, with a program of contrasting sensibilities. Bach's "Magnificat" focuses on the words of the Virgin Mary as she visits her cousin Elizabeth, pregnant with John the Baptist, and exults in God's glory. Beethoven's "Emperor" Concerto also focuses on powerful emotions, with a heroic tone reflecting Beethoven's mindset as Austria fought with France for a fourth time in eighteen years. In sharp contrast, Franck's "Le Chasseur Maudit" takes on a darker tone, focusing on the sinner and sinister, with music evoking imagery of a defiant huntsman being pursued for eternity by the hounds of Hell. The inclusion of Reiter's "Mysterium," Latin for the word "mystery," rounds out a program exploring otherworldliness, and the human emotions that go with it.

Official Website: http://www.oebs.org