KALAMAZOO GAZETTE, Wednesday, December 09, 1998
By C.J. Gianakaris - SPECIAL TO THE GAZETTE
Back
Each yuletide season, musical organizations in Kalamazoo schedule countless holiday concerts. Tuesday night's program at Chenery Auditorium by the Kalamazoo Singers raised the ante.
Not only did they present their typical high-quality concert, but they incorporated a small string orchestra, a harp, a harpsichord, duo-flutists and members of the Kalamazoo Ballet Company.
Thomas Kasdorf, music director and conductor of the Singers, began the program in unusual fashion: with two contrasting Magnificats by Dietrich Buxtehude (1637-1707) and Giovanni Pergolesi (1710-1736).
The Buxtehude proved a gentle and winning selection, notable for the polished performances of the string orchestra of 11 players, most from the Kalamazoo Symphony Orchestra. Equally effective and beautiful was the harpsichord continuo played by Spencer Schuyler.
Pergolesi's Magnificat, on the other hand, displayed a driving quality, moving riskly within a more dramatic style. Kasdorf's baton was kept busy with this demanding piece. The fast runs in the "Esurientes implevit bonis" section occasionally eluded the men's section of the chorus. The women seemed to handle the difficult turns and runs of the "Sicut locutus" with fewer problems.
Various solo passages were ably sung by members of the Singers (Lori Claussen, Joyce Collins, David Senecal and David Veenhuis). The entire ensemble was heard to good effect in the concluding "Gloria Patri," where the different parts alternatingly cascaded until fused in a fugue-like "Amen."
Thirteen members of Therese Bullard's Kalamazoo Ballet Company joined with the singers and guest harpist Lydia Cleaver for Benjamin Britten's haunting "A Ceremony of Carol," Op. 28 (1942). Again, various soloists stepped from the Singers' risers when required in the 12 sections.
The ballet corps stood out in "Procession" and "Recession," although the dancers performed in all the sections. Especially enjoyable and riveting was the dancing with "In Freezing Winter Night" and "Spring Carol."
Cleaver's harp sounded most splendidly in her engaging solo called "Interlude."
Closing the much-enjoyed concert were several carols. "O Yule Full of Gladness," a Norweigian carol, made use of flutists Alie Chandler and Alicia Poot. The traditional French carol "He is Born," sung a capella, emerged smooth and true in pitch. And five carols by Alfred Burt were less familiar but nonetheless lovely and interesting. By this point, though, some of the a capella singing began to sag slightly but not troublesomely.
"Away in a Manger" was sung exceptionally well by the Singers under Kasdorf's steady baton. "Hark, the Herald Angels Sing" followed, and John Rutter's arrangement of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" proved a popular encore.
Tuesday's concert confirmed the adage the more the merrier.
Back