Vancouver Oratorio Society joins conductors Kemuel Wong and Ellen Ay-Laung Wang in presenting a tribute of praise on its Silver Jubilee with excerpts from Mendelssohn’s Symphony No. 2 “Lobgesang” (Hymn of Praise), An-lun Huang’s Psalm 8, sacred choral works by Johannes Brahms, Henry Purcell, Mack Wilberg, John Rutter, and a commission work “Praises of Thanksgiving” by Wing-wah Chan, Music Director of Hong Kong Oratorio Society.

Mendelssohn’s Hymn of Praise is one of his three famous large-scale works. This symphony-cantata, a lovely, grand, and charming work for orchestra and chorus, depicts a heartwarming journey from worldly darkness to unbridled joy. Robert Schumann said “The whole stimulated enthusiasm, particularly at the choral movement, is to be accounted one of his freshest and most charming creations.” The finale brings nine vocal sections that explore a number of variations for vocal combinations. The old hymn “Now thank we all our God”, a favorite of Mendelssohn’s in the Chorale, exalts majestically the heaven and our hearts. No doubt Mendelssohn inscribed the work with Martin Luther’s quote, “but I would see all the arts, especially music, in the service of Him who gave and created them”.

Featuring:
F. Mendelssohn – Symphony No. 2 “Hymn of Praise” (excerpts)
An-lun Huang - Psalm 8
J. Brahms - How lovely is thy dwelling place
Henry Purcell - I was glad when they said unto me
Wing-wah Chan – Praises of Thanksgiving
Other sacred choral selections

Kemuel Wong – Conductor
Ellen Wang – Conductor/ Organist
VOS Chorus & Orchestra
Vancouver Christian Joint Choir
Vancouver Formosa Oratorio Society