By Rosie Rosenzweig
Cappella Clausura has done it again. Dubbed by The
Boston Globe as “rich and resplendent... [It] shines a
light on forgotten female composers..." and is the 2017 Winner of the Chorus America award for adventurous
programming. Its repertoire covers the earliest music known to be composed by
women in the 9th century to our own time including some by male
counterparts to bring greater depth and context to
the audience's understanding of music by women. The brainchild of Amelia
St. Clair who founded the group in 2004, Arts
Boston calls it “one of this country’s leading ensembles focusing on the research and
performance of music by women composers,”
.
Its most recent concert did just that by juxtaposing the
parts of the Messe De Nostre Dame,
the first polyphonic setting of mass by 14th century the French
composer Guillaume de Machaut with Psalms composed for this ensemble by
contemporary composer Patricia Van Ness. She has been called “a modern-day Hildegard
von Bingen,” whose 12th century work has also been performed by
Cappella Clausura. During
Van Ness’ address to the
packed house, she said that her “choice of work was based on desire to create
what is moving and beautiful” and embody that in the juncture with the divine.
Her work called “Birds of Psalms” was
highlighted by her rendition of Psalm 148, which she subtitled “Creeping Things
and Winged Bird, with a delightful multi-voiced orchestration reminiscent of
the flight of birds. Clausura’s ensemble of 12 acapella voices, all
accomplished professionals, rendered this with excellence.
St. Clair chooses her churches wisely, and her ensemble’s
voices resonated off the walls of the Eliot Church with heartfelt and spiritual
uplift.
Cappella Clausura’s next concert in January will feature
the surround sound of music; past concerts have had the singers walking around
the audience. Go to the website for more information about other future
concerts. http://www.clausura.org
