MCP presents The Road Not Taken, a powerful masterworks triple-bill at world-renowned Carnegie Hall, with the Masterwork Festival Chorus, New York City Chamber Orchestra, and prominent soloists. The program will include Rutter’s popular cantata Gloria, Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Trinity Te Deum, and Fauré’s serene Requiem, as well as a selection of choral works with the National Festival Chorus!

Described by the composer as "exalted, devotional and jubilant, John Rutter's Gloria is a musical setting of parts of the Latin Gloria, the second part of the Latin Order of Mass,  structured into three movements. Grammy Award-winning guest conductor Jerry Blackstone will lead this work.  Guest conductor Jerry Blackstone will also lead Ēriks Ešenvalds’ Trinity Te Deum, a re-imagining in Ešenvalds’ terms of the Anglican tradition of ceremonial music for a grand occasion.

From its ominous “Intro” and “Kyrie” to the delicate and famous soprano aria Pie Jesu, Fauré’s exquisite Requiem is the best known of his large works and a staple of choral-orchestral repertoire. This impressive work will be conducted by L. Brett Scott.

The evening will also feature singers from across the United States as part of the National Festival Chorus in a wonderful array of choral classics including Handel’s “Hallelujah, Amen” from Judas Maccabaeus, Michael Haydn’s “Laetatus Sum,” the traditional Scottish melody “Auld Lang Syne,” and more, all under the baton of guest conductor Michael Hanawalt.