LEWISBURG W.Va. (WVDN) – The Greenbrier Valley Chorale’s annual spring concert will feature the West Virginia premiere of American composer Elaine Hagenberg’s first extended work, Illuminare, with orchestral accompaniment. The performance will take place on Sunday, April 27, at 3 p.m. at Carnegie Hall in Lewisburg.
Composed for chorus and orchestra, this breathtaking work in five movements has garnered international acclaim. It exemplifies Hagenberg’s “inspiring and uplifting… soaring and cinematic” compositional voice (Chicago Tribune). Drawing on sacred Latin, Greek, and English texts, Illuminare narrates a journey from beauty and goodness, disrupted by darkness and confusion—culminating in the triumphant return of light.
Elaine Hagenberg is celebrated as one of today’s leading choral composers. Renowned for her ability to seamlessly weave lush harmonic landscapes, captivating melodies, and evocative piano and orchestral accompaniments, she offers a unique blend of artistic sophistication and universal appeal—creating music that resonates with conductors, performers, and audiences alike.
“We don’t often feature the music of just one composer in our concerts, but over the past few years, Elaine Hagenberg has given the world of choral music some amazing gems for both singer and listener alike, comments GVC artistic director Barbara Lutz. “ Illuminare is at once lovely and dramatic, poignant and joyous. We are thrilled to be the first public chorus in West Virginia to present this music, which has already been sung in the UK and the Netherlands!”
The chorale program also will feature a number of Hagenberg’s other works, including The Blue Ridge, O Love, Alleluia, and her beautiful arrangement of the Shaker hymn I will be a Child of Peace.
The Greenbrier Valley Chorale comprises 50 volunteer singers from across the valley. For more than 30 years the group has been directed by Lutz, accompanied by Teresa Bryant.
The past year has been extraordinarily rewarding for the chorale. Immediately following last year’s spring concert, they jumped into rehearsals for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Being part of that collaborative production with Greenbrier Valley Theatre and Carnegie Hall was a once-in-a lifetime experience for the singers, and they look forward to future partnerships with those outstanding organizations. Their annual Christmas concert was, as always, a sell-out. Elaine Hagenberg’s transcendent music will end the 2024-25 season on a high note.
Tickets can be purchased through the Carnegie Hall Box Office, (304) 645-7917, or online through the chorale’s website, greenbriervalleychorale.org. Carnegie Hall is handicapped accessible. Please notify the box office if you have special needs for seating or assistive listening devices.
