On their Alpine Tour of Switzerland and Austria, the Cornell University Chorus and Cornell University Glee Club brought their extraordinary talent and energy to Geneva and Zurich with two remarkable performances led by Joe Lerangis, Priscilla E. Browning Director of Choral Music and Yen-Hsiang Nieh, Assistant Director of Choral Music. The choruses presented an impressive range of music from Renaissance polyphony dating back to the 1500’s to modern compositions and classic Cornell songs, all delivered with poise and passion.
The program was a musical journey across centuries and continents. It began with Tchaikovsky’s Blazheni Yazhe Izbral and included works by Renaissance composer Raffaella Aleotti and Baroque master Heinrich Schütz. Contemporary highlights included And the Swallow by Pulitzer Prize-winner Caroline Shaw and the rhythmically dazzling Pal-So-Seong (8 Laughing Voices) by South Korean composer Hyo-won Woo, featuring eight vocal soloists.
A moving performance of Frank Martin’s Mass for Double Choir was among the evening’s most powerful moments, showcasing the ensemble’s dynamic control and harmonic richness. The concert closed with cherished Cornell songs, including Evening Song and the Alma Mater, bringing a touch of Ithaca spirit to the Alps.
The program also featured a cappella performances by student-led subsets: After Eight delivered a haunting rendition of House of the Rising Sun, while The Hangovers brought joyful energy with Up the Ladder to the Roof.
In his program welcome, Joe Lerangis, Priscilla E. Browning Director of Choral Music, reflected:
“For every student on stage, tonight’s repertoire represents the first time they have been introduced to a certain language, a distinct chord progression, or a new compositional vocal technique. We hope you might hear something new tonight too. But we do not tackle such a wide range of music out of novelty. We do it because it reminds us that although music is not food or shelter, it is our pact to forge curiosity, to lift each other up, and to help the echoes of yesterday resonate tomorrow.”
That spirit of curiosity, connection, and excellence was felt throughout the evening. The Cornell Club of Switzerland was honored to help host this event and is proud to support the next generation of Cornell musicians. Bravi tutti!
