We did two of the three main possibilities on Friday with the first Friday falling by the wayside. I did attend the (first half) of the 4 pm edition of the concert down at the college. As luck would have it, the Rutter piece was moved to the second half so I missed that. But, the choral selections I did hear were just great (up to a point, more in a minute). There were two performances of “O Magnum Mysterium”, the first by Tomas Luis de Victoria (1548 – 1611) and the second by Morten Lauridsen (1943 - ). I find that it is a “responsorial chant from the Matins of Christmas – (which I find that “Matins” is the morning prayer or late evening prayer in many religions). Apparently the music has been re worked into contemporaneous settings (like in the 16th century). Unfortunately Mr. Vote didn’t elucidate on the two selections, but fortunately he led the chamber singers in a great performance of the music. There is just something fulfilling about hearing a choir that is in synch, and I especially like when they hit a major chord (engineering description). They followed the two Mysteriums with two versions of Ave Maria, similarly a historical treatment (Desprez; 1450 – 1521) and “modern” (Bruckner; 1824 – 1896). Very enjoyable prelude to the holiday season.
But then, they followed the classics with a couple of “traditional spirituals”, namely Elija Rock, and The Battle of Jericho. We’ve trodden this ground before, but there is just something that (IMHO) doesn’t work when a bunch of college kids sing “an de walls come – tumblin’ down”. The first was sort of a call and response treatment, with lots of going back and forth (engineering music again) and rhythmic variations, but it just seems forced to me. Yes, they are keeping a tradition alive, and performing what was arranged by Moses Hogan (1957 – 2003) who was “one of the most celebrated contemporary directors and arrangers of spirituals”. As I say, you don’t have to like what I do, and I don’t have to like what you do, and in this case I just can’t enjoy that form of music. It just "isn't right".
At any rate, while they were setting up the brass and percussion for the Rutter piece I made my escape and headed to the digs to change the duds and then a ride out to Sotterley to hear Dr. Gottfreid speak on “the civil war comes to St. Mary’s County”. It really was a good talk, he kept it lively and it was quite informative. Apparently although Maryland was a officially a “northern” state, the majority of county residents were southern sympathizers, so there had to be a large presence in order to keep things in order. Also, since the “southern” state of Virginia was only a Potomac away, there was a pretty healthy smuggling trade of arms and supplies from here to there. Interesting stuff. There’s so much to learn..
Reader Pop Quiz:
Guess which month the following magazines are for:
as a little footnote, the pictured edition of "Gourmet" is the final issue. Kind of fitting that there is a turkey on the cover....still sorry to see it go.
And, just a nice way to end a gorgeous weekend
isn't there a song about that??
we didn't have much of a chance to
DFD
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