Designed to showcase the many voices of Disney Hall’s new organ, the program, conducted by Music Director Grant Gershon, features three distinguished organists performing three works for chorus, orchestra and organ.  James Walker, Director of Music/Organist-Choirmaster at All Saints Episcopal Church in Pasadena, is featured on Dvorák’s Mass in D.  Morten Lauridsen’s Lux Aeterna features James Buonemani, organist and director of Music for St. James Church in Los Angeles, who premiered the work with the Chorale in 1997.  And David Goode, Organist-In-Residence at the First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, joins the Chorale for the West Coast premiere of MacMillan’s Magnificat/Nunc Dimittis.

“We’re featuring three of the most prominent organists in the community to help celebrate the inauguration of this new instrument,” says Gershon.  “The unveiling of the Disney Hall organ is the most significant musical event of the season in Los Angeles, and it’s especially significant for the Master Chorale because it allows us to explore in our own home the full range of the rich and varied music written for chorus and organ. 

“The three works we’re presenting represent three different traditions in this repertory.  The Dvorak Mass is a beautiful and well-known masterpiece of the genre.  James Macmillan’s Magnificat/Nunc Dimittis is a wonderful example of the tradition of English choral music updated to the 21st Century.  Finally, the Lux Aeterna of Morton Lauridsen, which was written for and premiered by the LA Master Chorale in 1997, has become one of the most often performed and beloved choral works of the last 50 years.” 

James MacMillan read music at Edinburgh University and took Doctoral studies in composition at Durham University with John Casken. After working as a lecturer at Manchester University, he returned to Scotland and settled in Glasgow. The successful premiere of Tryst at the 1990 St Magnus Festival led to his appointment as Affiliate Composer of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra. Between 1992 and 2002 he was Artistic Director of the Philharmonia Orchestra's Music of Today series of contemporary music concerts. MacMillan is internationally active as a conductor and in 2000 was appointed Composer/Conductor with the BBC Philharmonic. He was awarded a CBE in January 2004. 

The Grammy-Award nominated Los Angeles Master Chorale, embarking on its 41st season as a resident company of the Music Center, is considered one of the best symphonic choruses in the world.  The New York Times calls the choir “inspired” and The New York Observer declares it “a superb vocal ensemble.”  Recognized as one of Southern California’s cultural treasures, the Chorale has received accolades for its innovative and dynamic programming, and its commitment to commissioning new works.