If you have been in Downtown Oakland in the last two years, you will be well aware of the gorgeous modern cathedral that opened last year right on Lake Merritt. Not only is the Cathedral a breathtaking architectural space it has amazing acoustics as well, which is why I’ve been scoping out the possibility of musical concerts since it opened last year.
Well, as a nice Jewish girl who loves Christian music (Palestrina, Mozart, spirituals, you name it, I love it), I’m very excited to tell you that the 2009-2010 season of music at The Cathedral of Christ of the Light is something to rival Grace Cathedral in San Francisco: Bach, Duruflé and Rachmaninoff are just some of the composers that will pass through this space in the next year. It seems that the Cathedral has become the place for large sale choral music. The Oakland Symphony Chorus, Chanticleer, the CSU East Bay Singers and various local high schools will appear here during the next year.
If you don't think yourself a fan of classical choral music, please be willing to try again. If you've never heard music in cavernous space with good acoustics like this one, try it. This music WAS MADE to be heard in space like this. You'll understand why if you attend: it will take your breath away.
December 3, Thursday 7pm - Piedmont High School Acapella Choir’s annual Holiday Concert
December 12, Saturday 8pm - Chanticleer’s Christmas Concert
January 6, Wednesday 7:30pm - Three Cathedrals Choir Festival. The choirs of St. Mary’s Cathedral of San Francisco, St. Joseph’s Cathedral of San Jose and the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament of Sacramento. Organ music by the Christ of the Light Cathedral’s music director Rudy de Vos.
I would like to specifically draw your attention to the Vesper's performance on April 24th. This is one of the most beautiful pieces I have ever heard and will definitely be there.
January 23, Saturday 8pm - Head-Royce High School Choir
March 13, Saturday 8pm - Oakland Symphony Chorus, featuring Bach’s Mass in B minor.
April 24, Saturday 8pm - Pacific Boys Choir featuring Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Vespers.
May 29, Saturday 8pm - CSU East Bay Singers, featuring Maurice Duruflé’s Requiem.
June 5, Saturday 8pm – Organ Recital (sponsored by the American Guild of Organists: Thomas Murray, Yale University)
Organ Dedication Recital Series - Conroy Memorial Organ
The Cathedral has just installed its new pipe organs and will endure the standard two months of tuning. But once they’re ready to go there will be an Organ Dedication Series featuring organists from near and far. All concerts are FREE.
February 11, Thursday 8pm – Olivier Latry from Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris
March 6, Saturday 8pm – Rudy de Vos from the Cathedral of Christ the Light, Oakland
April 16, Friday 8pm – Sophie-Veronique Cauchefer-Choplin of St. Sulpice, Paris
May 16, Sunday 5pm – Susan Jane Matthews of St. Paul’s, Burlingame, CA
See you there!
For more information please visit the Cathedral's website
Comments
It looks just like this modern cathedral I went to in Finland. I wonder if it's designed by the same person. I'll look into it. Great schedule! I love Chanticleer's holiday programs!
The March 13 Bach B-Minor Mass recital begins at 7:30, not at 8!Don't miss the Kyrie!
Judith, Oakland Symphony Chorus
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