- Oct 25, 2025 - 7:00 pm
- 7:00 pm
- Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Poulenc & Hagen
Commission, premiere, and recording underwritten by the Ron Rudderow Legacy Fund, Commissioned in partnership with The Washington ChorusRobert Istad, conductor
Pacific Chorale
Pacific Symphony
Rabihah Davis Dunn, soprano
PROGRAM
Poulenc’s Gloria
Jocelyn Hagen World Premiere What the Soul Already Knows
Celebrate the joyous spirit of choral music in this concert showcasing Poulenc’s exuberant Gloria alongside Jocelyn Hagen’s captivating new work. Poulenc’s score sparkles with brilliant brass fanfares, playful rhythms, and haunting soprano solos—expertly weaving together moments of drama and delight. Treat yourself to an evening of musical splendor as these two works combine tradition and innovation in a truly stirring performance.
A WORLD PREMIERE
What the Soul Already Knows is a large-scale symphonic work for choir, orchestra, and soprano soloist, jointly commissioned by Pacific Chorale under the direction of Robert Istad and The Washington Chorus under the direction of Eugene Rogers. The work receives its world premiere with Pacific Chorale, with a second premiere by The Washington Chorus in the 2026-27 season.
Rooted in an exploration of the sacred—in both the physical world and the unseen—the work invites listeners to reflect on the deep interconnectedness of all life. At its core, What the Soul Already Knows is a meditation on our shared humanity and the potential for beauty that arises when we live in alignment with gratitude, unity, and service.
The title received inspiration from the book Sacred Earth, Sacred Soul by Celtic spiritual teacher John Philip Newell, whose writings illuminate the sacred as present not only in heaven, but within the earth and all living beings. This philosophy resonated personally with the composer, whose Scottish roots and recent travels to Scotland further deepened the spiritual framework of the work.
The libretto is anchored by “The Circle,” an expansive poem by Ty Defoe—a Two-Spirit Native American writer and interdisciplinary artist. Excerpts from the poem serve as a throughline for the piece, interwoven with newly commissioned texts by Gretchen Ernster Henderson and Noor Unnahar. Additional texts are drawn from poets Julia Klatt Singer, Malcolm Guite, and Jan Richardson.
What the Soul Already Knows seeks to awaken both mind and spirit to the sacredness of the world we inhabit—and the world within ourselves.
Enjoy an exclusive post-concert reception—available to Pacific Chorale donors at $1,000 and above over the last 18 months.
Contact Natalie Oswald, Associate Director of Development, at (714) 662-2345 x227 for more information.
