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Photograph of Daniel Abraham

Daniel Abraham Professor and Department Chair, Performing Arts Performing Arts

Contact
Daniel Abraham
(202) 885-3427 (Office)
CAS | Performing Arts
Katzen Arts Center 101A
Available on campus daily by appointment:
9:30 AM - 2:00 PM
Additional Positions at 小蓝视频
Degrees
BM Music, University of Massachusetts
MM Historical Musicology & Conducting, University of Maryland
PhD, Musicology, ABD, University of Maryland

Bio
Choral/orchestral conductor and musicologist; specialist in 17th- and 18th-century music. As a conductor and scholar, Abraham has often sought out works previously unknown to present-day audiences and has been responsible for numerous world, North American, and regional early-music modern premieres with many performances using materials he has edited from archival manuscript sources. Abraham has conducted performances before two National Meetings of the American Musicological Society, has been broadcast nationally on NPR鈥檚 Performance Today, Great Sacred Music, and Sunday Baroque, and has appeared at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Music Center at Strathmore, the National Women鈥檚 Museum of the Arts, the National Portrait Gallery, the Cosmos Club, and many other venues in the eastern United States. Guest conducting appearances include concerts with the Trinity Wall Street Baroque Orchestra and Trinity Chorus (New York), as conductor of the Massachusetts Northwestern All-State Chorus, and internationally with various university and professional ensembles in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Croatia, Czechia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Spain, and in Egypt where he was Visiting Distinguished Professor of the Arts. He has garnered praise for his performances from many noteworthy sources, including Gramophone, the Washington Post, Choral Journal, BBC Magazine, Fanfare, Diapason, BBC Radio 3, American Record Review, and Early Music America. In addition to his work in early music, he is a champion of new composition particularly of American and Canadian choral composers.

He served as Artistic Director and Conductor of The Bach Sinfonia for twenty-one seasons, appeared on the nationally syndicated PBS series History Detectives, and has prepared choruses for national television broadcast including the Kennedy Center Honors Gala and Christmas in Washington as well as notable conductors including Lenard Slatkin, Michael Tilson Thomas, Leon Botstein and with artists including Ray Charles, Andrea Bocelli, and Kristin Chenoweth. He has presented papers before the American Musicological Society and at national and regional meetings of the American Choral Director Association.

In addition to his six commercial audio recordings on the Chandos, Dorian and Sonoluminus labels, his recent scholarly work includes: the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) funded multidisciplinary immersive audio project 鈥淗earing Bach鈥檚 Acoustic鈥 with audio technologist Braxton Boren, interactive-media designer Yana Sakellion, and audio engineer Rogerio Naressi; a critical edition of choral music by Heinrich Biber for Carus Verlag; and co-editing with Alicia Kopfstein-Penk and Andrew Weaver the volume Leonard Bernstein and Washington, DC: Works, Politics, and Performance for Eastman Studies in Music (University of Rochester Press). His next commercial recording, ALTISSIMA, with baroque trumpet virtuoso Josh Cohen, was released in January 2023 on the Chandos label. Published in Choral Journal, editorial work for The Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach Edition (OUP), and Cambridge University Press. Past grant panelist for the Maryland State Arts Council, DC Commission on the Arts, and the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery Country (MD). Past President of the MD/DC State Chapter of the American Choral Directors Association. Conducting studies and additional training with Paul Traver, Helmuth Rilling, William Weinert, Frieder Bernius, and David Hoose. Abraham is a sought-after clinician, adjudicator, and festival ensemble conductor.
See Also
For the Media
To request an interview for a news story, call 小蓝视频 Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

Teaching

Spring 2024

  • MUS-021 Private Instrument Study: Conducting

  • MUS-022 Private Instrument Study: Conducting

  • MUS-121 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Conducting

  • MUS-122 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Conducting

  • PERF-043 University Chamber Singers

Fall 2024

  • MUS-021 Private Instrument Study: Conducting

  • MUS-022 Private Instrument Study: Conducting

  • MUS-121 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Conducting

  • MUS-122 Private Instrument/Vocal Study: Conducting

  • PERF-043 University Chamber Singers

Partnerships & Affiliations


  • State President (Maryland/District of Columbia), 2009-2011<br>Interest Session Chair, Eastern Division, 2008-2010


  • Panelist/Reviewer, 2004-2006


  • Secretary-Treasurer, Capitol Chapter, 2000-2003

  • The Bach Sinfonia & Sinfonia Voci
    Music & Artistic Director, 1995-2016


  • Chorus Master, 2009-present


  • Chair, Research & Publications: Monographs Sub-committee (National), 2016-present

Scholarly, Creative & Professional Activities

Research Interests

Performance and research in baroque and classical period music (17th and 18th centuries); issues in performance practice; the music of Bach and Handel, choral music research and pedagogy.

Honors, Awards, and Fellowships

  • WAMMIE听Nominations as Best Classical Conductor/Director & Best Classical Chamber Ensemble (Bach Sinfonia), Washington Area Music Association, 2013
  • WAMMIE听Nominations as Best Classical Conductor/Director & Best Classical Chamber Ensemble (Bach Sinfonia), Washington Area Music Association, 2012
  • WAMMIE听Nominations (2) for Best Classical Album (The Art of Vivaldi's Lute and J.S. Bach: The Motets), 2012
  • Finalist [2nd Prize], 2011 American Prize, Bach Sinfonia Voci, Choral Performance (Professional Ensemble)
  • WAMMIE Nominations for Best Classical Conductor/Director & Best Classical Chamber Ensemble (Bach Sinfonia), Washington Area Music Association, 2011
  • Distinguished Visiting Professor in the Performing and Visual Arts, 小蓝视频 in Cairo, Egypt, spring 2005 [Note: not affiliated with 小蓝视频, Washington, D.C.]
  • Daniel M. Palmeroy Prize, American Handel Society & Maryland Handel Festival for Performance and Scholarship in Eighteenth-Century Music, 1998
  • Conductor/Participant, Oregon Bach Festival, Summer 1997
  • Irving Lowens Award, American Musicological Society, Capital Chapter, Excellence in Student Musicological Research, 1996

Professional Presentations

  • Preparing the Parts: Efficient Marking for Choral-Instrumental Performance. Conference Interest Session. American Choral Directors Association, Eastern Division Conference, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, February 13, 2010
  • New Editions of Old Music. Conference Session for the College and University Conductor鈥檚 Repertoire Forum. American Choral Directors Association, Eastern Division Conference, Hartford, Connecticut, February 19, 2008
  • Collegiate Honor Choir Chair, 2008 Eastern Division Conference, American Choral Directors Association, Hartford, Connecticut, February 2008听听
  • Collegiate Honor Choir Chair, 2006 Eastern Division Conference, American Choral Directors Association, New York, New York, February 2006
  • Appearance on premiere season of "The History Detectives," PBS Television, 2003
  • Frequent clinician, adjudicator, and festival conductor throughout the eastern United States and Canada

Recordings

  • Zelenka:听The Capriccios. The Bach Sinfonia; R.J. Kelley &听Alexandra Cook, natural horns. Sono Luminus Records, November 2012
  • The Art of Vivaldi's Lute. The Bach Sinfonia; Ronn McFarlane, lute; William Bauer, Viola d'amore; Jennifer Ellis, soprano. Sono Luminus Records, May 2011
  • J. S. Bach: The Motets. The Bach Sinfonia and Sinfonia Voci; Dorian Records, October 2010
  • The Forgotten Baroque: Masterworks of the Seventeenth Century. Biber: Stabat Mater [modern premiere recording], Rossi: psalms & Carissimi: Historia di Jephte. The Bach Sinfonia and Sinfonia Voci; Dorian Records, May 2009
  • George Frideric Handel: Alexander鈥檚 Feast or The Power of Music, HWV 75 and Johann Sebastian Bach: Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn鈥 ihn, BWV 1127. The Bach Sinfonia and Handel Choir of Baltimore. Dorian Records: DSL-20604, December 2006

Selected Reviews of Recordings

  • 鈥淛an Dismas Zelenka: The Capriccios (Five)鈥擳he Bach Sinfonia/Daniel Abraham鈥擲ono Luninus Pure Audio Blu-ray+CD.鈥 Audiophile Audition, October 24, 2013; critical review by John Sunier. [Selection as 鈥淢ultichannel Disc of the Month鈥漖
  • 鈥淶elenka: The Capriccios [The Bach Sinfonia]; Blu-ray Audio Review.鈥 Blu-RayDefinition.com, June 23, 2013; critical review by Lawrence D. Devoe
  • Nelson, David. 鈥淶elenka: A Survey of His Music Now or Very Recently Available on CD.鈥 58 pages. Czech Music, the Journal of the Dvo艡谩k Society (2012; updated on-line: May 2013); 鈥淐apriccios ZWV 182/5,190,鈥 pp. 52-53.听
  • 鈥淛ohann Sebastian Bach: Motets.鈥 Choral Journal (February 2013), 75-6; critical review by Garrett Saake.
  • "Vivaldi: Lute Pieces." American Record Guide (November 2011), 189; critical review by Peter Loewen.
  • "Ronn McFarlane's lute is ever present in this varied and pleasurable programme." Gramophone (October 2011); critical review by Donald Rosenberg.
  • "Johann Sebastian Bach: Motets." Early Music America 17 (Summer 2011), 21-2; critical review by Karen Cook.
  • "Vivaldi by Ronn McFarlane and Daniel Abraham." WETA, June 2011; critical review. "Daniel Abraham: Bach's 7 Motets on Dorian." Fanfare 34:4 (March/April 2011); critical review by George Chien.
  • "Classical: Bach Motets Performed by Bach Sinfonia." The Buffalo News, March 4, 2011; critical review by Mary Kunz Goldman.
  • "Bach: Motets." American Record Guide (January 2011), 82-3; critical review by Lindsay Koob.
  • "J.S. Bach: Motets (Bach Sinfonia, Abraham)." Audio Video of Atlanta, December 2010; critical review by Phil Muse.
  • "Classical CD Reviews: Passion and Lament." Audiophile Audition (July 1, 2010), critical review by Steven Ritter.
  • "Winning affections: Paul Riley is moved by Daniel Abraham collection of Baroque choral works." BBC Magazine (June 2010), U.S. Reviews, 97; critical review by Paul Riley.
  • "Recording Reviews: Passion and Lament: Choral Masterworks of the 17th Century." Early Music America (summer 2010), 50-1; critical review by Karen Cook.
  • "CD Review: Building a Library: Carissimi's Jephte." BBC Radio 3; broadcast: Saturday, May 15, 2010 and podcast available (time: 26:44-1:17:18); critical review by David Vickers.
  • Recording Reviews: G. F. Handel: Alexander's Feast, or The Power of Music, HWV 75; Johann Sebastian Bach: Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn ihn, BVW 1127; Daniel Abraham, conductor; Dorian Recordings. Choral Journal, September 2007, critical review by C. Leonard Raybon, pp. 71-73.
  • Recording Review of G. F. Handel: Alexander's Feast / J. S. Bach: Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn ihn, BVW 1127 (Dorian DSL-20604) in Early Music America, September 2007, critical review by Denise Gallo

Selected Publications

  • Renaissance and Baroque Performance Practice: Invaluable Resources for the Choral Conductor (with James John, co-author). Research Memorandum Series, No. 200. Chorus America: Philadelphia, 2011.
  • "Vivaldi's Works for Lute and Ensemble鈥 for Indianapolis Early Music Festival, Summer, 2011 [program annotation]
  • 鈥淢ozart鈥檚 Requiem: History and its Conclusions鈥 for Handel Choir of Baltimore, May 2011 [program annotation]
  • 鈥淰ivaldi and the Concerto鈥 for The Art of Vivaldi鈥檚 Lute, Ronn MacFarlane and The Bach Sinfonia. Sono Luninus, October 2011 [CD recording annotation]
  • 鈥淣ew Bach Performances: Historically Informed?鈥 Choral Journal, April 2008听 听
  • "The London Pleasure Gardens and their Musical Entertainments鈥 for Songs of the London Pleasure Gardens, Brandywine Baroque for Plectra Records, PL20601: December 2006 [CD recording annotation]听 听
  • 鈥Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn鈥 ihn: A newly discovered aria by Johann Sebastian Bach鈥 for Dorian Records: DSL-20604, December 2006 [CD recording annotation]

Grants and Sponsored Research

  • Maryland State Arts Council: Arts Organization Support for mid-size Organizations, Arts in the Community Grants, and General Operating Support (The Bach Sinfonia): 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County (Maryland): Grant for Artistic Organizations & Administrative Support (The Bach Sinfonia): 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
  • Grant from Ernst and Young, LLP: General Arts Support (The Bach Sinfonia): 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
  • The Dimick Foundation, Artistic Support (The Bach Sinfinia): 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006
  • Lockheed-Martin, Arts and Technology Grant (The Bach Sinfonia): 2004
  • University of Maryland, Project Support Grant, 2002
  • Prince George鈥檚 County Arts Council, 2000

Media Appearances

Selected Feature Articles & Media Interviews

  • 鈥淓arly Music is a Capital Idea.鈥 Early Music America 20/1 (Winter 2014): 34-8 by Mark Longaker.听听听
  • 鈥淐hamber music鈥檚 timelessness explored.鈥 The Gazette Newspapers (Maryland), February 2, 2013 by Marie Gullard.
  • 鈥淪potlight鈥擳he Arts Served Daily: The Bach Sinfonia presents Zelenka.鈥 Metro Weekly, May 2, 2012 by Randy Shulman.
  • 鈥淐oncert brings Bach to the future at Montgomery College鈥檚 Cultural Arts Center; Concert reenacts composer鈥檚 job audition to let modern audience decide.鈥 The Gazette Newspapers (Maryland), March 28, 2012 by Cody Calamaio.
  • 鈥淎udience Rates 18th Century Performances in Real鈥揟ime Voting.鈥 Washington Examiner. March 27, 2012 by Marie Gullard.
  • Vivaldi Goes Digital: Bach Sinfonia put multimedia spin on 'The Four Season.'" The Gazette Newspapers (Maryland),May 4, 2011 by Jordan Edwards.
  • "Concert brings Bach to the future at Montgomery College's Cultural Arts Center; Concert reenacts composer's job audition to let modern audience decide."The Gazette Newspapers (Maryland), May 28, 2012 by Cody Calamato
  • "Audience Rates 18th Century Performances in Real鈥揟ime Voting." Washington Examiner. March 27, 2012 By Marie Gullard
  • "Vivaldi Goes Digital: Bach Sinfonia puts multimedia spin on 'The Four Seasons.'" The Gazette Newspapers, May 4, 2011 by Jordan Edwards.
  • "Notes for a Haydn Anniversary." Early Music America, Vol. 15, Winter 2008
  • "Modern Premiere: Biber." Early Music America, Vol. 14, Fall 2008
  • "Religion That's Set to Music: The Bach Sinfonia. The Washington Post Express, March 15, 2008 by Andrew Lindemann Malone
  • "Soundbytes: First complete performance in North America" [Bach, BWV 1127]. Early Music America, Vol. 11, Winter 2005.听
  • Interviews with Judith Krummeck, WBJC Radio (Baltimore, Maryland) FM 90.9, regarding the upcoming premiere of Bach's rediscovered aria. Broadcasts: October 23-29, 2005听
  • Extended Interview and Discussion: FM Radio 95 (Cairo, Egypt) on Town Beat; Cultural Activities Program (most important English language arts broadcast in the Middle East). Broadcast: May 2005
  • "Choral Concert . . ." Akhbar El Nogoom [Leading artistic magazine in the Arabic world], May 7, 2005, p. 31 by Marianne Mahrous
  • "Fleur, The Obscure: Bach Sinfonia to Cast a Rare Light in the Overlooked Genre of Opera Comique." The Washington Post, November 5, 2000 by Philip Kennicott.

Exhibitions/Performances

SELECTED PERFORMANCES

Professional Conductor

  • Suducka Philharmonic Chamber Orchestra (Opole and Walbrzych, Poland, 2017)
  • Fryderyk Chopin University of Music Baroque Ensemble (Warsaw, Poland, 2017)
  • Re-Musica Festival of Contemporary Music (Prishtina, Kosovo, 2015)
  • Trinity Baroque Orchestra and Chorus (New York, 2014)
  • Governor of Vladimir Symphony Orchestra (Vladmir, Russian Federation, 2013)
  • Chamber Orchestra of the Orpheus Musical Theatre (Perm, Russian Federation, 2013)
  • B-A-C-H Chamber Orchestra (Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation, 2013)
  • Trinity Wall Street Chorus & Baroque Orchestra, October 2014
  • North American Premiere, Capel Bond: Concerto No. 1 for Trumpet & Strings & North American Premiere & Charles Avison: Concerto in B Major, Op. 6, No. 5, October 2012
  • First complete cycle (live performance) of Zelenka's Capriccios for Orchestra, May 2012
  • U.S. Premiere, Johann Bernhard Bach: Orchestral Suite No. 2, March 2011
  • Premiere of New Critical Edition, Antonio Salieri: Picciolo Requiem [premiere of new critical edition by Jane Schatkin Hettrick], October 2010
  • Henry Purcell: King Arthur, Concert Hall at The Arts Center at Strathmore, May 2009听 听
  • Modern premiere of Heinrich Ignaz Franz von Biber's Stabat Mater, May 2008
  • Concert before the Annual National Meeting of the American Musicological Society: Handel's Alexander's Feast and Johann Sebastian Bach: Alles mit Gott und nichts ohn鈥 ihn BWV 1127, October 2005 [before the Annual National Meeting of the American Musicological Society]
  • Washington area premiere: George Frideric Handel: Gloria, Washington, D.C., May 2002
  • Modern premiere: Marie-Emanuelle Bayon-Louis: Fleur d鈥櫭塸ine, before the International Conference Attending to Early Modern Women, November 2000
  • Programs with Tony Powell/Music & Movement, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Washington, D.C., November 2000
  • Concert before the Annual National Meeting of the American Musicological Society: Cantata4, November 1996

As Conductor at 小蓝视频

  • Russian Federation Tour, 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers [Moscow (2 programs), Perm, Yekaterinburg (2 programs), Kazan]; programs with Governers Orchestra Vladimir, Chamber Orchestra of the Orpheus Theatre (Perm); B-A-C-H Chamber Orchestra (Yekaterinburg), May 2013
  • 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers, World Premiere, Fernando Benadon: Three Israeli Poems, September 2012
  • Spain & Portugal Tour, 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers [Spain: Granada (2), Cordoba and Seville; Portugal: Faro and Lisbon (2)], May 2011听 听
  • U.S. Premiere, Juan Guti茅rrez de Padilla: Missa Ero flos campi, 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers, April 2011
  • U.S. Premiere, Wilhem Friedemann Bach: Wohl dem, der den Herren f眉rchtet, Fk 76, 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers, November 2010
  • 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers International Tour of Hungary and Romania, May 2009
  • Invited Showcase Choir (小蓝视频 Chamber Singers) for the Inaugural Washington, D.C. Choral Festival, Concert Hall, John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, May 2007
  • 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers Eastern United States and Eastern Canada Tour, October 2004
  • Various World Premieres

Television & Radio Performances

  • Chorus Master, University Chorale, Christmas In Washington, National Television Broadcast: TNT, 2006-2008
  • Various performance broadcasts on National Public Radio's Performance Today, Sunday Baroque, Great Sacred Music, and Classical Discovies
  • Chorus Master, 鈥淎 Tribute to Bill Cosby鈥 for The Kennedy Center Honors Gala National Television Broadcast, PBS, 1999

Reviews of Recent Live Performance

  • 鈥淟ate Great Bach: The Mass in B Minor.鈥 The Washington Post, October 27, 2014; critical review by Cecelia Porter.
  • 鈥淏ach Sinfonia鈥檚 Baroque Christmas Gifts.鈥 The Washington Post, December 16, 2013, C4; critical review by Joan Reinthaler.
  • 鈥淭he Sound of a Tradition.鈥 MoCo Vox (The Voice of Montgomery County), December 16, 2013, critical review by David Cannon.
  • 鈥淚鈥檒l Be Baroque For Christmas: Bach Sinfonia at Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center.鈥 DMV Classical, December 14,听2013; critical review by Andrew Lindemann Melone. http://dmvclassical.wordpress.com/2013/12/15/ill-be-baroque-for-christmas-bach-sinfonia/
  • 鈥淕et Bach Loretta.鈥 MoCo Vox (The Voice of Montgomery County), October 7, 2013, critical review by David Cannon.
  • 鈥淭he Trumpets Shall Sound: Bach Sinfonia at Montgomery College. Cultural Arts Center.鈥 DMV Classical, October 7,听2013; critical review by Andrew Lindemann Melone. http://dmvclassical.wordpress.com/2013/10/06/the-trumpets-shall-sound-bach-sinfonia/
  • 鈥溞バ狙 褏芯褉芯褕 鈥 芦袣邪屑械褉薪褘械 锌械胁褑褘 校薪懈胁械褉褋懈褌械褌邪 袗屑械褉懈泻懈禄 懈蟹 袙邪褕懈薪谐褌芯薪邪 胁褘褋褌褍锌懈谢懈 褋 泻芯薪褑械褉褌芯屑 胁 袦褍蟹械械 懈褋褌芯褉懈懈 袝泻邪褌械褉懈薪斜褍褉谐邪 - 袣芯薪褑械褉褌褘 - 袣褍谢褜褌褍褉袦褍谢褜褌褍褉: 褉械胁懈械胁鈥 [鈥淕ood Choir 鈥 小蓝视频 Chamber Singers from Washington gave a concert at the Museum of Yekaterinburg - Concerts - KulturMultur: Review.鈥漖 May 31, 2013. www.kulturmultur.com/itwas/125/item148324/
  • 鈥淏ach Sinfonia rediscovers New World.鈥 The Washington Post, May 8, 2013, teaser C1+C3; critical review by Cecelia Porter.
  • 鈥淔iesta! Bach Sinfonia at Montgomery College鈥檚 Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring, May 5,听2013鈥 DMV Classical, May 7, 2013; critical review by Andrew Lindemann Melone. http://dmvclassical.wordpress.com/2013/05/07/fiesta-bach-sinfonia-at-montgomery-colleges-cultural-arts-center/
  • 听鈥淟eipzig Idol: The Bach Sinfonia at Montgomery College鈥檚 Cultural Arts Center in Silver Spring.鈥 DMV Classical, April 2, 2012; critical review by Andrew Lindemann Malone. http://dmvclassical.wordpress.com/2012/04/02/leipzig鈥搃dol鈥搕he鈥揵ach鈥搒infonia鈥揳t鈥搈ontgomery鈥揷olleges鈥揷ultural鈥揳rts鈥揷enter鈥搃n鈥搒ilver鈥搒pring/
  • "Death becomes them: Mozart requiem and Bach Sinfonia." The Washington Post, October 25, 2010; critical review by Cecelia Porter. 听
  • Mo' Better Motets: The Bach Sinfonia and Sinfonia Voci. DMV Classical, March 8, 2010; critical review by Andrew Lindemann Malone. The Classical Beat: In Performance. Bach Sinfonia. The Washington Post, March 8, 2010; critical review by Joan Reinthaler.
  • Bach Sinfonia's 'King Arthur' at Strathmore Center. The Washington Post, May 11, 2009; critical review by Cecelia Porter. (third item on page)听
  • Bach Sinfonia Workaday Wonders Of the Baroque.The Washington Post, May 19, 2008; p. C01, critical review by Anne Midgette. 听
  • Music: The Bach Sinfonia. The Washington Post, March 24, 2008; p. C05, critical review by Joan Reinthaler.听
  • Music: From Bach Sinfonia and Chantry, A Dido Die For. The Washington Post, October 30, 2006; p. C05, critical review by Andrew Lindemann Malone.

小蓝视频 Experts

Area of Expertise

Musicology; choral and orchestral conducting; seventeenth-and eighteenth-century (German and English) music sociology; rock history; jazz history; popular and choral music; early brass instruments; computer applications in the humanities and music

Additional Information

Abraham conducts the 小蓝视频 Chorus and the Chamber Singers and teaches courses in music history, theory, and appreciation. He is a frequent clinician, adjudicator, and festival jurist. A specialist in performance and practice of seventeenth- and eighteenth-century music, Abraham is the music and artistic director of the Bach Sinfonia, a period-instrument ensemble dedicated to baroque and classical music. The Washington Post and other media outlets have praised his artistry and performances as having 鈥渦ncommon precision and exuberant vitality鈥 and 鈥渒een insight and coherence.鈥 As a conductor and musicologist, he has 鈥渂lended those skills marvelously in a program that combined learning with enjoyment in ideal proportions.鈥 Abraham has conducted performances at the Kennedy Center, Music Center at Strathmore, National Women's Museum of the Arts, National Cathedral and twice before national meetings of the American Musicological Society. Broadcast credits include choral preparation for the Kennedy Center Honors Gala on PBS; the chorus master for Christmas in Washingtonon TNT, and an appearance on the PBS series History Detectives.Abraham was nominated for a 2010 Washington Area Music Award (WAMMIE) as Best Conductor/Director, and Bach Sinfonia is a 2011 finalist for the American Prize for Performance in the professional choral ensemble area. He records for Dorian Records (International) and is past president of the Maryland/District of Columbia chapter of the American Choral Directors Association.

For the Media

To request an interview for a news story, call 小蓝视频 Communications at 202-885-5950 or submit a request.

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