OSNJ Presents Fall Concert Nov. 16 in Montclair

The Oratorio Society of New Jersey (OSNJ) will present a unique opportunity to hear two 20th century choral masterpieces that set the positive, uplifting Latin text of the Gloria to music. This concert takes place on Saturday, November 16, at 8 pm at the Church of the Immaculate Conception at 30 North Fullerton Street in Montclair. Francis Poulenc’s Gloria, for soprano, chorus and orchestra, and John Rutter’s Gloria, for chorus with brass, percussion and organ, will be conducted by OSNJ Music Director, Dr. Sándor Szabó. Tickets to the concert can be purchased in advance at www.oratoriosocietynj.org @ $28, or at the door @ $30.

If you Google the word “glorious,” one of the first definitions you’ll find is this – “having a striking beauty or splendor that evokes feelings of delighted admiration.” That pretty much describes what OSNJ plans to deliver by combining these two settings of the Gloria for an evening of glorious music. Each work, in its own way, employs a rich musical palette to convey a range of emotions that will make for a delightfully moving evening.

Francis Poulenc composed his Gloria in 1959 and 1960 and it was premiered by the Boston Symphony Orchestra in 1961. Poulenc said that when he wrote the piece, “I had in mind those frescoes by Gozzoli where the angels stick out their tongues; and also some serious Benedictine monks I had once seen reveling in a game of football [what we call soccer].” His Gloria reflects this mixing of the sacred and profane, with the music moving from lively dance-hall rhythms to more somber, contemplative passages. As one critic has noted, Poulenc’s Gloria has an enduring appeal because of “its moments of sumptuous, enveloping ecstasy and uncomplicated good humor.”

John Rutter composed his Gloria in 1974 and conducted its premiere by the Mel Olson Singers in Omaha, Nebraska, in that same year. While Rutter himself acknowledges Poulenc as an influence on this composition, Rutter’s Gloria presents perhaps a more exuberant and joyful take on the Latin text, with a first and third movement that feature brass fanfares supporting full-throated, celebratory choral parts that are truly thrilling. Rutter juxtaposes those two outside movements with a lovely, mysterious middle movement that focuses on the themes of forgiveness and mercy.

Taken together, the two Glorias explore a full range of emotions – from joy to reverence to awe -

through music that will surely delight all who attend.

Following the November 16 concert, OSNJ presents its annual “Messiah Sing,” Tuesday, December 3 at 7:30 pm, St. James Episcopal Church at 581 Valley Road in Montclair. Audience members are invited to listen or sing along with OSNJ members in Part I of Handel’s Messiah, and the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Part II.

About the Performers

Soprano Malina Malkani is a graduate of Northwestern University’s double degree program in vocal performance, musical theatre and comparative literature. During her musical career, she performed Off-Broadway and in almost every U.S. state in national tours, regional theatres and light opera companies. A member of professional performing unions including, AEA and SAG/AFTRA, favorite roles include Maria in West Side Story, Kate in Pirates of Penzance, Julie Jordan in Carousel and Woman 1 in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. Ms. Malkani is a former soloist at St. Matthew’s Cathedral in Chicago and currently sings each week as a staff soprano and soloist at Christ’s Church in Rye NY. Now a board-certified registered dietitian nutritionist, soon-to-be-published author, and owner of a nutrition consulting company (www.malinamalkani.com) geared toward helping parents raise healthy eaters (Instagram @healthy.mom.healthy.kids), Ms. Malkani lives in Westchester County where she is raising three young daughters.

OSNJ Music Director and Conductor Dr. Sándor Szabó is actively engaged as conductor, organist, pianist, harpsichordist, vocal coach, arranger and adjudicator. Choirs and orchestras under his leadership have toured throughout Europe, Canada, and the United States, and he has performed in major concert halls and cathedrals in Europe and North America. Dr. Szabó began his musical education in Yugoslavia. He graduated from the University of Novi Sad in 1984 with the diploma “Academic Musician in the Piano Art” and received a Master’s degree from the University of Music Arts, Belgrade.

From 1983 until his immigration to Canada in 1988, Dr. Szabó carried on a performing career while teaching piano at the University of Music Arts, Novi Sad, and working as assistant conductor/accompanist at the Serbian National Opera. Dr. Szabó has studied with many distinguished musicians, including conducting with Stanko Šepić, Ann Howard Jones and Joseph Flummerfelt; piano with Bordás Lajos, Jokuthon Mihajlović, Nevena Popović, Anthony di Bonaventura and Tong Il Han; organ with Max Miller, Eugene Roan and McNeil Robinson; and harpsichord with Mark Kroll.

Dr. Szabó holds Master’s degrees in organ performance and sacred music from Westminster Choir College, where he was awarded the full-tuition Currin scholarship, and earned a DMA in piano performance at Boston University. He also holds the Fellowship Certificate (FAGO) from the American Guild of Organists and is a member of Phi Beta Delta, an honor society for international scholars, as well as Pi Kappa Lambda, a national music honor society. Dr. Szabo has held the post of music director in prominent churches in Ontario, Canada, MA, NJ and NY.

Dr. Szabó is the interim choir master and organist at Christ's Church, Rye NY, music director and conductor of the Oratorio Society of New Jersey and organist/choir director at Temple B’nai Abraham, Livingston, NJ.

Founded in 1952, the Oratorio Society of New Jersey is an amateur ensemble dedicated to performing major works of the Western classical choral repertoire, from the Baroque era to the current century. Based in Montclair, choir members reside throughout Northern Jersey. Directed since 2005 by Conductor Sándor Szábo, OSNJ performs twice yearly at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Montclair and presents an annual Community Messiah Sing in December. Recordings of numerous performances of OSNJ can be heard on the website www.oratoriosocietynj.org, and are also available on CD.

Further information is available at www.oratoriosocietynj.org

Funding for OSNJ has been made available in part by the N.J. State Council on the Arts/Department of State; and by the generosity of many other foundation, corporate and individual donors.

October 24, 2019

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