San Francisco Choral Society, the largest auditioned chorus in the Bay Area, is preparing to perform one of the grandest and most unusual requiems in all of music.
Artistic Director Robert Geary will conduct the chorus in a performance of Johannes Brahms’ Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) on Aug. 16 at Davies Symphony Hall, supported by soprano Cara Gabrielson, baritone Andrew Thomas Pardini, and the California Chamber Symphony.
Geary, who has led the SF Choral Society for three decades, said Brahms’ Requiem is one of the most frequently performed works for chorus and orchestra.
“The overall effect of the piece is a reaffirmation of the compassion and healing that is part of humanity. For performers and audience alike, experiencing the arc of the seven movements is a powerful, cathartic experience,” Geary said. “Brahms was conveying a message of compassion in the face of overwhelming loss, supporting the process of coming to terms and again making our hearts whole.”
Chorus member Nancy Lemon said that Brahms’ Requiem has been her favorite choral piece since she first performed it in college. “Years later, I am still transported by its profound beauty, and grateful to perform it once more on the stage of Davies Symphony Hall,” Lemon said.
For the Brahms program, the 167-member Choral Society is inviting experienced singers from across the country to join the society’s regular chorus for the concert at Davies— these invitations are part of the organization’s 4th annual Summer Festival Chorus program.
After a round of rehearsals conducted remotely, the guest singers from New York, Maryland, Georgia and California will be hosted in San Francisco for a week before the concert. Among them is Frances Murphy, a returning Summer Festival Chorus member who also belongs to numerous choral societies in New York City.
“I am passionate about collaboration! I love the camaraderie among the members of the SF Choral Society, the warmth towards us guest singers, and the help and support from the entire team,” Murphy told San Francisco Classical Voice. “The leadership makes sure that the members have resources for learning the music. I love the vibes that the city exudes, the food, and the weather. It is a wonderful experience to sing here, [and] I am grateful to be part of the SFCS, even though only during the summer.”
Among the local singers is mother-daughter duo Carlin and Rosalie Chi. Carlin, the soprano section leader, joined SFCS 25 years ago. Rosalie is singing with the chorus for the first time this year.
“They welcomed me and quickly became a source of community and bonding over music,” Carlin said, reflecting on her beginnings at SFCV after moving to the Bay Area. “I’ve been lucky enough to rehearse and sing the Brahms Requiem multiple times, and each time I learn and understand and find more meaning through working with Bob Geary and [SFCS Associate Conductor] Bryan Baker.
“This summer has been even more special for me, as a long-held dream of mine has come true. Years ago, a fellow soprano got the chance to sing in a concert with her children when both her kids joined with us as part of the Piedmont East Bay Children’s Choir, and that gave me the hope that I could someday sing with one of my children,” Carlin continued.
“Thanks to the Choral Society’s scholarship program for high school singers, my 15-year-old daughter has joined our soprano section this summer for Brahms. Experiencing rehearsals together has been a delight — seeing our community bring her into the fold [and] watching her learn her first big choral piece has all been wonderful.”
According to Rosalie, the experience of singing in a professional chorus is a meaningful one. “I really love learning a completely new style of music, and Brahms is just so unique and interesting,” Rosalie said. “It’s even better to be able to spend more time with my mom. This experience has helped me learn so many new things and have such amazing experiences with singing.”
