Sunday morning a cappella

I wrote during mid-January about New York Polyphony, fast emerging (if not already there) as the leading male a cappella classical quartet, whose music --- as a friend noted --- "can ease a troubled mind and aching body ...."

So in part because it's Sunday morning, but mostly because I just enjoy listening to these guys, here they are performing O magnum mysterium (Tomas Luis de Victoria, 1548-1611) at the Episcopal Church of St. Mary the Virgin, Times Square, last September. And yes I know it's February, but you can never have too much Christmas.

The same day, New York Polyphony paired up with Anonymous 4, without doubt the leading female a cappella classical quartet, to perform Joseph lieber, Joseph mein (Praetorius, 1560-1629).

I mention this now because Anonymous 4 will be in Iowa during early February for two performances. The quartet will appear at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 8, at Sheslow Auditorium on the Drake University campus (sponsored by the Des Moines Civic Music Association, tickets priced according to seating choice).

The second performance will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 11, at Herrick Chapel on the Grinnell College campus in Grinnell. This is a free public performance, but tickets are required. The catch here is, you've got to actually go to Grinnell to get the the tickets (beginning at noon Wednesday). No telephone or e-mail reservations.