@vaecinci opened its 2026-27 concert season with a passionate program of Renaissance, Baroque and modern music given the title The Deer’s Cry: A Meditative Journey in the splendid acoustic of Immaculate Heart of Mary Chapel at Cincinnati’s Summit Country Day School.
Under the direction of music director Joe Miller (beginning his second season in this role), the ensemble’s repertoire was principally built around works of the Estonian composer Arvo Pärt and extended selections from the Missa Pange Lingua, one of roughly two dozen mass settings attributed to Josquin des Prez which survive.
Rarely has Pärt’s music been performed as splendidly and passionately as it was by Vocal Arts Ensemble, including an incredibly insightful account of The Wonan with the Alabaster Box, and full-throated renditions of his Nunc Dimitris and a shorter motet, The Deer’s Cry, which gave this evening’s concert its title. His tintinabi, minimalist compositional style really serves groups such as Vocal Arts Ensemble incredibly well.
In an interesting move, the opening Kyrie and portions of the Agnus Dei were sung, respectively, by a smaller octet of singers, placed at the front alter of the chapel, and as a solo duet sung by Rachel Bell and Maren Hrivnak. Both of these added to the overall sonic experience that drew the audience in.
Additional treats included an expansively luscious setting of Ave Maria Stella by Norwegian composer Trond Kverno, sung from the chapel’s rear gallery, and three short excerpts from Heinrich Schütz’s St. Matthew Passion. Having sung the Kverno Ave Maris Stella roughly 10 years ago during my studies at Xavier University, it was an absolute pleasure to hear it brought so vividly to life this evening. All of these works were interspersed with short theorbo improvisations played by guest soloist Christopher Wilke, a regular presence with groups such as Seven Hills Baroque.
The audience was also treated to a rare encore from VAE in a heart-rending reading of Craig Hells Johnson’s arrangement of the Dolly Parton tune Light of a Clear Blue Morning, once again featuring soloist Rachel Bell.
How wonderful it is to hear such an outstanding group begin a new season!
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