The Choral Arts Society of Utah and Orchestra is performing Felix Mendelssohn’s Psalm 42 and other choral selections under the baton of Graduate Teaching Assistant Lauren Tien, at Libby Gardner Concert Hall, Saturday, October 22, 2022, at 7:30 pm.

The concert celebrates the beauty of the rural and pastoral. The connections between self, nature, and deity are the central focus of the texts and music featured in this program, which includes the compositions of Aaron Copland, Randall Thompson, and Felix Mendelssohn. The sounds you will hear span a range between American folk and high romantic German art music, all with the poetic intention of reflecting human experience through the imagery and metaphors that nature provides. Mendelssohn was particularly proud of his sacred work, “Psalm 42,” referring to the piece as his “very best sacred composition.” The text of the 42nd psalm provides vivid visual and sensual imagery of the hart (stag or deer) and fresh water. At the outset, the hart cries out for fresh water, but the water only comes in the form of tears, rushing waters, waterspouts, and billows. Join us in enjoying this masterpiece that will be presented in its complete form on October 22nd, in Libby Gardner Hall.

Now in its 35^th year, the Choral Arts Society of Utah’s 100-voice choir is based in Salt Lake City. In June this year, the choir performed a series of concerts in France, including participating in the ceremonies at the American and British Cemeteries in Normandy. The choir’s most recent performance celebrated the pioneer spirit in Salt Lake’s Abravanel Hall for the 25^th performance of the Days of ’47 KUTV Pops Concert. Many of the choir’s performances are benefit concerts for schools and organizations providing humanitarian services to local areas. See a complete listing of the choir’s upcoming performances on Facebook and Twitter!