On the 20th century

Building on its January debut, the Hudson Chorale will present a salute to 20^th-century composers May 21 at Irvington High School.

The 90-voice ensemble will offer a program titled, "Myths and Meditations," featuring works by Morten Lauridsen, Ralph Vaughan Williams, and Arthur Bliss.

The 1997 premiere of “Lux Aeterna” swept composer Morten Lauridsen to international fame and has earned him the distinction of being the most-performed American choral composer of our time.  He was named an "American Choral Master" by the National Endowment for the Arts and awarded the National Medal of Arts by the U.S .government in 2007 "for his composition of radiant choral works combining musical beauty, power and spiritual depth that have thrilled audiences worldwide." 

“The Lark Ascending,” an incandescent work by Ralph Vaughan Williams for violin and orchestra, found inspiration in a poem by George Meredith.  Long a favorite in the British orchestral repertoire, this piece debuted in 1914 and blends English folk music with themes inspired by Bach, Handel, Ravel, and Debussy. 

The program also includes “Pastoral” by Arthur Bliss, who was appointed Master of the Queen’s Music in 1953 and was knighted for his musical compositions.  Following a visit to the Italian countryside, Bliss collected an anthology of poetry depicting a Sicilian day from dawn to evening, and set these poems to music for voice, flute, timpani and strings.

Music director Michael Conley will conduct the 8 p.m. performance at the high school, 40 N. Broadway (Route 9). Conley is also a composer, pianist, organist, and singer.

Tickets are $25, $10 for students, and can be purchased at the door, by calling 462-3212 or by visiting hudsonchorale.org.