Choral Stream

School Spotlight highlights outstanding Minnesota school- and student-music ensembles during the academic year. This week, the Robbinsdale All-District Elementary Choir, a mixed-voice ensemble made up of 100 fifth graders from the 10 elementary schools in Robbinsdale, Minn.

As we prepare to broadcast the Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra's performance of Handel's "Messiah" (December 31, 10:00 a.m.), we answer a few questions you might have about this perennially popular masterwork.

There was no one Susa style — there were many. All of them showed his innate ability to spin a melody, lift a phrase and leave listeners feeling that they had just heard something very special.

Founded in 1981 by Tonu Kaljuste, the EPCC has grown to be one of the preeminent choirs of the world, with multiple well-respected recordings and a 2007 Grammy Award for Best Choral Performance. Under the direction of Daniel Reuss, the 24-voice group is making a few rare U.S. appearances, including a stop in St. Paul on Friday, November 22.

John Tavener "fully embraced the odd-sounding Eastern rhythms and scales of the ancient Greek Orthodox Church. They had entered his heart and, taking up residence there, began to transform his musical output," writes Classical MPR's Steve Staruch. Composer John Tavener passed away today, aged 69.

The Thomanerchor — or St. Thomas Choir — of Leipzig is one of the oldest ensembles in the world, founded in 1212. It is an extraordinary group of men and boys who sing for the services at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig, Germany. The choir will perform in a live broadcast on Classical MPR at 8 p.m.

This week on Morning Glories, we're presenting performances by one of the world's finest choirs as we look forward to its appearance in Minnesota later this month.

With its potent mix of fury and fear, punctuated with hammering chords and explosive bass drum bangs, the Requiem Mass is one of Verdi's most striking choral works.

The Norwegian choir, Uranienborg Vokalensemble, joins Steve Staruch for music in the Maud Moon Weherhaeuser Music Studio.

Today at 1:30 p.m., VocalEssence will perform on the stage in Carousel Park as part of MPR Day at the Minnesota State Fair. Classical MPR's John Birge hosts. VocalEssence is known for its exploration of music for voices and instruments under the direction of artistic director and founder Philip Brunelle.