Performances Set for Romantic Epic, Gurrelieder, by Arnold Schoenberg  Milestones in the Musical History of the 19-Year Old Chorus  Compiled by GayToday From a GMCH Report

"We are honored to perform this masterpiece with world-class musicians like the Symphony and the Houston Symphony Chorus," reports Tony Adam, President of the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston. "It is especially thrilling to work under the direction of Maestro Eschenbach. Not many singers have an opportunity like this. This is the first time in our nineteen-year history that we have been invited to perform with the Houston Symphony organization."  

"This will be a mountaintop experience for all of us," affirms Dr. J. David Faber, Artistic Director of Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston. Rehearsals for Gurrelieder began in March, overlapping the Gay Men’s Chorus of Houston's very successful spring concert, "Sing of Love," and the rigorous preparation schedule for the chorus' annual Pride Week concerts, "Time Travel," set for June 20 and 21.  

Addressing both choruses at a combined rehearsal last week, Charles Hausmann, Director of the Houston Symphony Chorus, characterized Gurrelieder as perhaps being the last great choral/symphonic work of the Romantic period. Composed between 1901-1911, Gurrelieder relates the tragic love story of Waldemar and Tove in 14th century Denmark.  

The work is unabashedly romantic in character, with only occasional hints of the dissonant, atonal style for which Schoenberg would later become known. Gurrelieder requires an unusually large orchestra (about 120 musicians), 5 soloists and a narrator, as well as three men's choruses, joined by an equal number of women for the soaring 8-part finale.