Tucson choir bringing a little love to summer concert

"Summer Lovin" opens with Brahms' "Liebeslieder Waltzes" (Lovesong Waltzes), composed between 1868-69. It was written at a time when publishers and audiences were looking for piano dance music, particularly performed by piano four hands. 

Hansen said Helios will perform the piece with two pianists at a single piano as Brahms intended.

In "Liebeslieder Waltzes," Brahms reportedly prided himself on creating a body of songs that were unpretentious and light, works that amateurs could perform just as admirably as professional musicians. 

Hansen paired the 19th-century song cycle with works by two contemporary composers:

– Eric Whitacre's "i thank You God for most this amazing day," the final movement of the California-based composer's "Three Songs of Faith."

Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff commissioned the work in 1999 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of its music school.

– Acclaimed Australian composer Elena Kats-Chernin's  "Summer Together," written in 2023. The work, according to a report by Australian Broadcasting Corp., "captures the quintessential Australian summer: sharing a feed, being outdoors, spending time with loved ones."

Sunday's concert begins at 5:30 p.m. at Grace St. Paul's, 2331 E. Adams St. General admission tickets are $18, and reserved seats are $40 through heliosensemble.org.