CCM Presents Multimedia Concert Featuring J.S. Bach's Mass in B minor

The transcendental beauty of the music of Johann Sebastian Bach receives an imaginative interpretation in a multimedia concert hosted by the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM).

CCM presents German director Bastian Clevé’s film, "The Sound of Eternity," a lush visual interpretation of J.S. Bach’s glorious "Mass in B minor." Accompanying the film will be a live performance of the work by the CCM Chamber Choir and Philharmonia Orchestra, under the baton of conductor Earl Rivers. The film and performance will be presented jointly at Knox Presbyterian Church (Michigan and Observatory Avenues, Cincinnati) on Friday, Nov. 21 at 8 p.m., with a pre-performance discussion led by Clevé at 7 p.m. A follow-up performance of the Mass (without the film) takes place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23.

Clevé’s film, "The Sound of Eternity," received its U.S. premiere at the Oregon Bach Festival in 2006. It is constructed of 27 short, dialogue-free films—based on the 27-part musical structure of the Mass—that lead us through alpine mountains and glaciers to peaceful valleys and pulsating metropolitan cities. The result is a powerful meditation on existence and being, the religious and the unexplainable and, ultimately, the circle of life.

Known as the “queen among masses,” Bach’s "Mass in B minor" is the composer’s opus ultimum and opus summum—the artistic record of a life’s work. Bach spent the last 15 years of his life at work on this significant piece, and it is the only complete mass that he ever composed, considered unique for the beauty of its musical expression.

“For me personally, the 'Mass in B minor' is an incredibly inspiring, reflective, euphoric and jubilant experience, almost as if, far from a single person's destiny, a door opens into heaven. Out of this breathtaking experience the individual films have been created," says Clevé. “The vision behind the film is to let the audience take inspiration through their ears and eyes, leave them contently carried away, feeling fulfilled and complete, and—one hopes—to keep this happiness for a little while."

Admission to the events is free. Please see below for additional information.

Earl Rivers, Conductor
As director of Choral Studies and head of the Division of Ensembles and Conducting, Earl Rivers oversees one of the country’s outstanding graduate choral conducting programs. He recently completed his 20th season as music director and conductor of the Vocal Arts Ensemble of Cincinnati (VAE), the city's premier professional 24-voice chamber choir. He and VAE have received two ASCAP Awards for Adventuresome Programming of Contemporary Music. He has been honored in Cincinnati with a special Post-Corbett Award for outstanding artistic achievements with the VAE, and in June 2004 he was the recipient of Chorus America’s Michael Korn Founders Award for Development of the Choral Art, honoring a lifetime of significant contributions to the profession of choral art. As director of music at Hyde Park’s Knox Presbyterian Church, his Knox Music Program has been cited by Cincinnati Magazine as the “Best Church Music in Cincinnati.” Rivers serves on the board of directors of Chorus America, the national service organization for professional, volunteer, symphony/opera and children's choirs. In May 2005 he hosted Chorus America’s Conducting Workshop for Choral and Orchestral Conductors at CCM.
_______________________________________________

University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
EVENT DETAILS

The Sound of Eternity
A film by Bastian Clevé

With J.S. Bach’s Mass in B minor
Performed by the CCM Chamber Choir and Philharmonia Orchestra
Earl Rivers, conductor

Performance Dates:
Friday, Nov. 21:
7 p.m. Pre-performance discussion with Bastian Clevé
8 p.m. Film and performance

Sunday, Nov. 23:
3 p.m. Performance (without film)

Location:
Knox Presbyterian Church
Michigan and Observatory Avenues
Cincinnati OH 45208

Admission:
FREE

RELATED EVENT:
Thinking About Music Series
With Bastian Cleve, film director
"Making of a movie for Bach's 'Mass in B minor'"

Date & Time: Friday, Nov. 21, 2:00 pm.
Location: Baur Room, CCM Village
Admission: FREE


For more Information:
www.ccm.uc.edu or 513-556-4183