As we get closer to our 2013 Rachmaninoff Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom concerts, we wanted to take a look back at our Rachmaninoff All Night Vigil performances from this January!
Here’s a feature of our dress rehearsal on OPB:
“With 26 voices including an augmented bass section to anchor Rachmaninoff’s dark, almost subterranean sound, the choir was larger than usual but well-blended, sonorous and focused nonetheless. Lingas’ pacing was gentle and unhurried — the “Hail Mary” unfolded with lovely solemnity — and his phrasing beautifully shaped, underscoring the music’s roots in chant. The singers were acutely responsive and their diction crisp, keeping the texts in the forefront.
Among the soloists, alto Kerry McCarthy deserves special mention for her musicality and radiant tone in Psalm 103, her sense of utter conviction heightened by her striking resemblance to Renée Jeanne Falconetti in the title role of Carl Theodor Dreyer’s film The Passion of Joan of Arc. Bass Adam Steele (in the deacon’s role) and tenors John Michael Boyer (in the priest’s role), Daniel Buchanan and Leslie Green were all firm and powerful.
On the heels of their excellent recent CD releases–including their collaboration with Portland Baroque Orchestra on J.S. Bach’s St. John Passion — this was one of a fine choir’s finest moments, and it is to be hoped that they will commit this program as well to disc.” — The Oregonian
Portland
8pm, Fri., Jan. 11, St. Mary’s Cathedral
Seattle
8pm, Sat., Jan. 12, Holy Rosary Church, West Seattle
Portland (matinée)
3pm, Sun., Jan. 13, Trinity Episcopal Cathedral
Free pre-concert talks one hour prior to each performance.
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