KentTritle.com | ConductorKent Tritle is one of America’s leading choral conductors. Called “the brightest star in New York’s choral music world” by The New York Times, he is Director of Cathedral Music and Organist at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City; Music Director of Musica Sacra, the longest continuously performing professional chorus in New York; and Music Director of the Oratorio Society of New York, the acclaimed 200-voice volunteer chorus. In addition, Kent is Director of Choral Activities at the Manhattan School of Music and is a member of the graduate faculty of The Juilliard School. Also an acclaimed organ virtuoso, Kent Tritle is the organist of the New York Philharmonic and the American Symphony Orchestra and a member of the organ faculty of the Manhattan School of Music.
Tuesday, March 23, 2021, 7:30 PM
Cathedral of St. John the Divine, New York, NY
CATHEDRAL CHOIR AND ORCHESTRA OF ST. JOHN THE DIVINE
Kent Tritle, conductor
Soloists to include:
Amy Justman, soprano
Kirsten Sollek, contralto
Lawrence Jones, tenor
Peter Stewart, baritone
J. S. BACH St. John Passion
Wednesday, May 5, 2021, 8 PM
Carnegie Hall, New York, NY
ORATORIO SOCIETY OF NEW YORK
Kent Tritle, conductor
PAUL MORAVEC/MARK CAMPBELL A Nation of Others
World Premiere oratorio celebrating immigrants’ arrival at Ellis Island
ROBERT PATERSON Whitman’s America
Settings of poems from Whitman’s Leaves of Grass
Kent Tritle Stars in WIRED “Masterminds” Episode: What Conductors Are Really Doing
Kent takes a star turn in the latest episode of WIRED “Masterminds,” a new series of online videos from the celebrated platform that explores the intersection of technology and culture. “Masterminds” spotlights experts in various fields who let the viewer inside the finer points of their work; earlier episodes included “Former CIA Operative Explains How Spies Use Disguises” and “Amazing Illusions: Using Human Bodies to Create Shadow Dances.” Watch “What Conductors Are Really Doing” now.
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Following last week's Bach post, the Prelude in C Major, BWV 547, here is the fugue to go with it, preceded by a little commentary by Kent on what makes this fugue (which commences halfway through the video at around 5:30) so special.
Here are my dear friends Jamet Pittman and Ray Nagem with “Strange Fruit.”
Billie Holiday made this song famous – and it nearly put an end to her career. It is an indelible song, one that has always touched me to the core – but particularly at this moment, it moves me to re-examine how we have glided over our bloody history so easily. I know I must do this – we all must.
Love, Kent
Kent says: "This is the Bach Prelude in C major, BWV 547. We organists call it the ‘9/8’ Because it is in a unique dance meter. It is a joyous, buoyant piece of music- Perhaps just what is needed at this moment!"
Kent says: "Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV 543 is one of my favorite of all his preludes and fugues! The prelude begins with some fancy work on the keyboard; the pedals respond with their growly bass, and then it cooks along, keyboards and pedals together, until the end. The fugue subject is one of the most elegant, joyous and simply tuneful in all of Bach’s music! It is in 6/8 time, and swings like a pendulum in a way that for this player seems to connect with the rhythm of the universe!"
From Kent:
On June 2, the anniversary of the death of my dear friend and mentor Nancianne Parrella (who as many of you know was my companion for so much of my musical journey), I saw the reports that the president was threatening with military action the protests after the death of George Floyd. I was overcome with grief. Searching for a ray of hope, I called my friend Jamet, and she lifted me up. Here is Jamet Pittman, with me at the piano. Let us love each other and find a new way, a better way, to embrace all peoples with equity, kindness, and humility.