The long and the short of the Utah Chamber Artists

As part of the "Milestones" celebratory anniversary season, the Utah Chamber Artists' choir and orchestra will showcase two of their favorite pieces of the past 20 years this month at Libby Gardner Hall.

The night is titled "Bernstein and Mozart: The Long and Short of It" will feature Leonard Bernstein's "Chichester Psalms" and Wolfgang Mozart's "Requiem."

“These two works are really standouts as far as our musicians and audiences are concerned," artistic director Barlow Bradford said. "From two extraordinary composers come two works that are hundreds of years apart yet have similarities in orchestration and an extraordinary honesty, which reflects the composers' depth and purpose.”

Choir member Dave Hansen said, “Mozart’s requiem was on my top list of pieces UCA has performed over the last 20 years. From the funeral march of the first section through the 'Lacrymosa' and 'Amen,' Mozart captured the emotional aspect of the survivors of a loved one better than any requiem I’ve sung.”

Hansen also said the Bernstein "Chichester Psalms" is some of the greatest music ever written.

"The second movement, set to the Hebrew text of Psalm 23, the Lord is My Shepherd, requires a soprano solo that would melt even the hardest of hearts," Hansen said. "(It) contains perhaps the most beautiful melody in music."

And for "the Short of It," two “miniatures” by each composer will be showcased.

Soprano Celena Shafer will solo in Mozart’s “Laudate Dominum” and Bernstein’s liltingly acrobatic “Glitter and Be Gay” from his operetta “Candide.”

Utah-born Shafer is “recognized as one of the premier artists of her generation,” according to Fanfaire.com.

“The trick with this concert for me will be the ability to switch between two contrasting styles," Shafer said. "The Bernstein requires vocal agility and stamina, with a ton of bravado. While the Mozart requires such an intimate sound."

Completing the quartet for the Mozart 'Requiem' are Kirsten Gunlogson, mezzo-soprano; Tyler Nelson, tenor; and Michael Chipman, baritone.

The Utah Chamber Artists' choir and orchestra will perform "Bernstein & Mozart: the Long and Short of It" on Feb. 28 at 7:30 p.m. at Libby Gardner Hall.

Tickets for the concert may be purchased by visiting utahchamberartists.org or by calling King.tix at 801-581-7100. Adults can purchase tickets for $15.00. Students can get tickets for $10.00 apiece. A family of six — two adults, four children — can obtain a family ticket package for $50. Service charges will apply.

Parking will be available at Rice-Eccles Stadium with a shuttle that will run beginning at 6:30 p.m. until the performance.

E-mail: smoreton@desnews.com