Heritage Chorale - Concert Tour

The Heritage Chorale visited Prague and Vienna in the summer of 2010, with Music Director John Finney and Associate Conductor Darryl Hollister, to perform in some of Europe’s great classical venues and to enjoy these historic cities and cultural centers. The concert repertoire celebrated the musical traditions of the Czech Republic, Austria and the United States including short works of Dvorak and Mozart, Lux Aeterna by America’s Morten Lauridsen, and a selection of American folk hymns and spirituals. (Photos from the tour can be seen by clicking the links below.)

The Chorale’s tour began in Prague, a glittering jewel of art and architecture nestled in the heart of Europe. The Chorale was thrilled to present a concert at St. George’s Church, built in the 2nd Century and adjacent to Prague Castle and St. Vitus Cathedral. This magnificent and ancient stone church provided a fitting setting for our concert, and particularly for Dvorak’s Three Moravian Songs, sung in Czech.

We then traveled to Melk Abbey, an Austrian Benedictine abbey on the banks of the Danube River. After touring the beautiful grounds and halls of the abbey, and enjoying the views from the terrace, we gathered in the Chapel to perform – first an organ solo by our Conductor John Finney, then three pieces from our sacred repertoire. Our last note echoed for a full minute in the cavernous space!

It is hard to imagine a more culturally-rich city than Vienna; how fortunate that the Heritage Chorale could add its own musical offering! The Chorale opened our visit in Vienna in the gothic Maria am Gestade Church where we participated in the traditional Sunday morning Mass by performing six sacred pieces. It was thrilling to sing in one of the oldest churches in Vienna, built in about 1400. Then, that afternoon while touring Schonbrunn Palace, we were invited to participate in Vienna’s “Voices of the World” by singing an impromptu selection of American patriotic pieces, appropriate as it was the 4th of July. Our final performance was a full concert at Palais Ferstel – a gorgeous 19th Century hall. We enjoyed this concert immensely, and the audience seemed to agree.

One audience member approached John Finney following the Mass at Maria am Gestade Church and commented, “Your music is balsam for our souls.” And the Chorale felt the same way about singing in Europe’s magnificent halls – truly balsam for our souls!

See more photos of our tour.