Concert to feature noted artists in “Belshazzar’s Feast,” new concerto

The Choral Home Concert will be held Sat., June 3 at 8:15 p.m. at the La Sierra University Church and will feature a performance of William Walton’s “Belshazzar’s Feast” with operatic baritone Steve Pence as soloist, and an ensemble comprised of the La Sierra University Chorale, the Loma Linda University Sanctuary Choir and Orchestra, and the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood Cathedral Choir.

The evening will also showcase a performance by La Sierra piano performance major Jonathan Mamora of Quintana’s new work, “Piano Concerto.”

Quintana, La Sierra’s director of choral studies and an avid composer, wrote “Piano Concerto” for Mamora to perform. He began work on the piece last July. “At times I thought I would not finish it on time,” Quintana said. “But it's done and I am very pleased. I am super excited.”

Mamora, a Beaumont resident who has won multiple awards for his skill as a pianist, has been accepted into the prestigious music program at The Juilliard School in New York City following graduation from La Sierra in June. His many music competition prizes include first place in Music Teacher’s Association of California  Concerto Competition, second place in the IIYM International Piano Competition, first place in the California Association of Professional Music Teachers Honors Competition, first place in the Steinway Society of Riverside County Concerto Competition, first place in the Redlands Bowl Young Artists Piano Competition, and winner of the 2014 Marcia Specht-Guy Concerto Competition at La Sierra University.

Quintana, a native of Argentina, also directs the choir at the Loma Linda University Church and is associate minister of music at the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood. He previously served as assistant conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale and has conducted the Chamber Singers as well as the Los Angeles Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall. He has also prepared the chorus for renowned conductors such as John Adams, Esa-Pekka Salonen and Gustavo Dudamel.

Quintana’s compositions and arrangements have been performed by the Los Angeles Master Chorale and other groups. His works have been published by Pavane Publishing, Augsburg Fortress and Fred Bock Music Publishing. His “Mass from Two Worlds,” a self-published work, is distributed by PanaMusica Japan. 

Quintana holds a Doctor of Musical Arts in choral conducting from the University of Southern California. He serves as a clinician and adjudicator in choral festivals and workshops. 

“Belshazzar’s Feast” was written by English composer Walton and first performed in 1931 by baritone Dennis Noble, the London Symphony Orchestra and Leeds Festival Chorus. It tells the story of Babylonian King Belshazzar during the Jews’ years of exile in that ancient city. The king uses the Jews’ sacred temple vessels in a feast honoring heathen gods. During the banquet a hand appears to inscribe a message on the palace wall predicting Belshazzar’s demise. The king is slain that night by an invading king and the Jews regain their freedom.

Pence, who will perform as solo baritone in “Belshazzar’s Feast” has appeared with the Los Angeles Opera, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Los Angeles Master Chorale and the Los Angeles Philharmonic in such roles as “Sharpless” in Giacomo Puccini’s “Madam Butterfly,” as a soloist in Johann Sebastian Bach’s “Mass in B minor,” and as “Hercules” in Phillip Glass’ “The Civil Wars.” His film credits include work on “Muppets Most Wanted,” “Despicable Me 2,” “Happy Feet 2,” and “Godzilla.”