Co-presented with St. Paul's Choir School
WHEN NOTRE DAME WAS NEW
MUSIC AND LITURGY IN PARIS C. 1200
Thursday, March 20
St. Paul’s Church & Livestreamed
Presentation: Thomas Forrest Kelly (Harvard)
Demonstration and Performance: The Saint Paul’s Boys Choir with Soloists; Brandon Straub, Music Director
The Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, while still in process of construction, was the liturgical setting for ground-breaking developments in musical composition and practice, called by historians “The School of Notre Dame.” Hauntingly beautiful and prayerful in itself, this music also proved to be a springboard that inspired composers in the years that followed.
For this program the renowned music historian Thomas Forrest Kelly joins with the Boys and Schola of St. Paul’s Choir, who sing and rehearse chant and polyphony every day of the week, to explore the liturgical setting, compositional techniques, and musical brilliance that flowed from the cathedral when it was new. After an introductory talk by Professor Kelly, the choir will demonstrate and perform the music from the sanctuary of this soaring, acoustically remarkable church that has graced Harvard Square since its opening over 100 years ago.
Reception to follow.
In honor of the 100th Anniversary Conference of the Medieval Academy of America, Co-sponsored by the Harvard Christian Alumni Society
Jean Fouquet, The Right Hand of God Protecting the Faithful against the Demons, manuscript illustration, from Hours of Étienne Chevalier, c. 1452-1460, Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York
THOMAS FORREST KELLY
Thomas Forrest Kelly is Morton B. Knafel Research Professor of Music at Harvard, where he was named a Harvard College Professor in recognition of his teaching and served as Chair of the Music Department. An internationally recognized authority on medieval and early modern music, and on the performance of music in historical settings, he has lectured widely throughout the U.S. and Europe. Among numerous books and articles for both scholarly and general audiences: Capturing Music. The Story of Notation (Norton,2014); The Practice of Medieval Music (Ashgate Variorum, 2010); and First Nights: Five Musical Premieres, Yale, 2000). Professor Kelly received his PhD from Harvard, as well as diplomas from the Schola Cantorum in Paris and the Royal Academy of Music in London.
THE SAINT PAUL'S BOYS CHOIR
The Saint Paul’s Boys Choir, directed by Brandon Straub, is based at the St. Paul’s Choir School, founded in 1963 by Dr. Theodore Marier, the only Catholic boys’ choir school in the United States. The Boys’ Choir sings during term time at daily and Sunday Masses, and at a weekly Choral Vespers. The Choir has toured and performed throughout North America and Europe and made numerous recordings.
BRANDON STRAUB
A versatile conductor, educator, singer, and keyboardist, Brandon Straub is equally at home with musicians of all ages and degrees of experience. He has prepared choruses for a growing list of world-class ensembles and conductors, including the National Symphony Orchestra, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Philadelphia Orchestra, and LA Philharmonic at such venues as the Kennedy Center, Tanglewood, Wolf Trap, and the Kimmel Center.
A lifelong church musician, Mr. Straub has led singing from the keyboard since age ten. Prior to his appointment at St. Paul's, he served as Director of Choral Music, Chair of Music, and School Organist for the shared music program at St. Albans School and National Cathedral School in Washington, DC. Straub has also led programs at The Hill School and Episcopal High School and served for 11 seasons as Associate Conductor and Pianist for the Choral Arts Society of Washington. While in DC, he was active as a conductor, organist, and professional singer in several churches, including Washington National Cathedral and St. John’s Church Lafayette Square (the “Church of the Presidents”).
Hailing from Michigan, Mr. Straub holds degrees in Music Education and Voice from Michigan State University and Conducting and Harpsichord Performance from the University of Michigan. He is also currently the Resident Conductor of the Harvard Glee Club and a rehearsal pianist for the Tanglewood Festival Chorus.