Soloists
Helene Zindarsian - Soprano
I'm very excited to be singing the Mozart Requiem with Viva la Musica!
I've performed the piece not only as a soloist, but also as a member of the soprano section, and have even had the opportunity to sing some of its excerpts as part of the background soundtrack to the film "Amadeus" with the San Francisco Symphony.
Each time I sing this piece, I marvel not only at its enduring beauty (now 234 years "young"), but also at the fact that when Mozart wrote this -- his final work -- he was only 35 years old.
I have several favorite moments in the piece, but the first eight measures of the "Lacrymosa" are among the most poignantly beautiful to me, as this was the last musical theme that Mozart composed. The quality of the space between the notes at the beginning of that long and gradually ascending phrase seems to suggest the change in breathing one might hear in a dying person. It's as if those halting breaths gradually build to become one final expression -- striving further and then yielding to the wonder of whatever lies beyond our knowledge of the human experience.
Whenever I sing a Requiem, I can't help but reflect on life and call to mind loved ones that have passed on.
I will be dedicating this performance to my mother, who passed away last May.
Solmaaz Adeli - Mezzo soprano
Singing the alto solo in this masterpiece brings me so much joy and allows for such musical depth – that is what is most thrilling about performing a Requiem. As a musician, you know that the composer decidedly chose to compose a Requiem and that informs all of the musical nuances and context - and subtext. Mozart's, being one of the most famous and beloved.
I sang the alto solo in Mozart’s Requiem for the first time in Vienna, Mozart’s city and "The City of Music!"
I am honored to perform again under the lively baton of Maestra Shulamit Hoffmann and alongside the beautiful choir Viva la Musica!
Corey Head - Tenor
The Mozart Requiem stands as one of the most exquisite musical compositions ever crafted. Although Mozart did not complete the work before his early death, it contains some of the last music he ever composed. Recognizing the immense significance of this masterpiece, his students, assistants, and contemporaries dedicated themselves to its completion. Through their tireless efforts, they took from Mozart’s verbal instructions, personal writings, and outline sketches to bring this work to fruition. Having had the privilege of performing it numerous times, I am constantly reminded of the countless individuals who have contributed to its enduring legacy over the centuries. I recognize, every time, I am privileged to have played a small part in its continuation and to share this incredible work with others.
José Mendiola - Bass
Among the many profound works that have shaped my artistic and spiritual journey, Mozart’s Requiem holds a special place in my heart. The depth of the Latin text and sacred writings that Mozart set serves as a lens through which I reflect on the human experience. Each time I revisits this monumental work I am humbled by the fragility of the human soul and the universal yearning to preserve the memory of those who have passed.
I extend my deepest gratitude to Viva la Música and Shulamit Hoffmann for the opportunity to collaborate on their Bon Voyage Concert. As they embark on their remarkable journey to Carnegie Hall, we celebrate their dedication and wish them an unforgettable experience. Viva la Música!
Viva la Musica!
Inspired performance!
Viva la Musica! was founded by Shulamit Hoffmann in the San Francisco Bay Area in 2001. After more than 20 years of bi-annual local performances, Viva’s repertoire now spans 50 choral-orchestral works, hundreds of choral works, "scores" of orchestral works, and several multi-media presentations (repertoire).
Choir-and-orchestra tours include the International Choral Kathaumixw, Canada (2004); International Choral Festival, Vermont (2005); Singing with Sir David Willcocks and Duane Wolff, Vancouver, B.C. (2006); Vienna and Salzburg (2006); Mozart Requiem, Prague and Dresden (2011); Forrest Jubilate Deo and Gjeilo Dark Night of the Soul, Vilnius, Riga, Tallinn, Helsinki, St. Petersburg, (2017).
Collaborations at home include Rutter Mass of the Children with the Saratoga Symphony and Ragazzi, Shulamit conductor; Beethoven Mass in C, Brahms Requiem, and Mendelssohn Die erste Walpurgisnacht with Master Sinfonia Chamber Orchestra, David Ramadanoff conductor; and Beethoven Ninth Symphony and Karl Jenkins In these Stones Horizons Sing with Symphony Parnassus, Stephen Paulson conductor.
Under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions concerts include: Rutter Mass of the Children, Rutter conducting (2008); Vivaldi Gloria (2009) Carnegie Hall, New York, Shulamit conducting; Forrest Requiem for the Living (2019), Carnegie Hall, Shulamit conducting; Rutter Magnificat, (2023), Bath Abbey, Rutter conducting, and Ola Gjeilo Dark Night of the Soul, London, Shulamit conducting.
The Mozart Requiem performance at Carnegie Hall in 2025 will be Viva’s fifth performance under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions, Shulamit’s fourth MAP conducting appearance, and her seventh Mozart Requiem performance.
Shulamit Hoffmann Ed D
Viva la Musica! Founder and Artistic Director
Shulamit earned her doctorate from Teachers College, Columbia University. She holds master’s degrees in piano performance and in choral conducting, and her bachelor’s degree in music includes a major in English literature. She is a licentiate of the Royal Schools of Music, London, and of the University of South Africa.
Her teachers include Dr Adolph Hallis, Lamar Crowson, and Nellie Tholen, piano; Drs Charlene Archibeque and Dino Anagnost, conducting; and Drs Hal Abeles and Randall Allsup, music education.
Shulamit founded Viva la Musica as part of her choral conducting master’s program, and she has since served as the ensemble’s artistic director and conductor. Performances include regular bi-annual San Francisco Bay Area concetts, collaborations with other ensembles, and eight performance-focused domestic and European tours.
She has taught at several colleges and universities and is in her 23rd year at College of San Mateo.
The recipient of several academic and professional scholarships, Shulamit was named Outstanding Graduate Student in the School of Music and Dance at San José State University. She is a San Mateo County Mayors’ Diversity Award honoree. Shulamit has twice received U.S. Congressional Recognitions (2002, 2013) and her biography is entered into the Congressional Record.
Anna Khaydarova
Viva la Musica! Collaborative Pianist
Anna Khaydarova earned her Master of Music degree in Piano Performance with an Award of Excellence from Notre Dame de Namur University and a Bachelor of Music degree in Piano Performance and Pedagogy with honors from Tashkent State Conservatory, in Uzbekistan. Anna won Second Place in the Bartok–Prokofiev-Kabalevski International Piano Competition in Redford, Virginia, and First Place in the Notre Dame Concerto Competition, in Belmont, California.
Anna has served as collaborative pianist for Viva la Musica since 2005, and has been a featured soloist in Viva’s performances of Beethoven Choral Fantasy and Mozart Double Piano Concerto. Anna is also pianist for Folsom Lake College Choral Program and other choirs. She has traveled in the U.S. and Europe with these organizations as featured pianist and accompanist.
She is Music Director at Island United Church, Foster City, where she also has an active piano teaching studio. Anna has two children, Darrell and Nicole, Stella the dog and a cat.
Anna and Shu post Prague concert
Ola Gjeilo Dark Night of the Soul
St. Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, London, June 29 2023
Massed choir under the auspices of MidAmerica Productions
Anna Khaydarova, piano
Lauren Haber, soprano
Shulamit Hoffmann, conductor
Mozart Requiem
St. Marks Episcopal Church, Palo Alto, California, March 6, 2011
Viva la Musica Choir & Orchestra
Deirdre Lobo-D'Cunha, Soprano
Wendy Morgan Hunter, mezzo-soprano
Brian Thorsett, tenor
Jordan Eldredge, baritone
Freddie Mendoza, tenor trombone
Shulamit Hoffmann, conductor