Tonight's bill of fare included the first three parts of Bach's Weinachtsoratorium and Robert Kyr's O Word of Light and Thunder, a world premiere of Cantata No.3 from his Christmas Oratorio.
The Rockefeller Chapel Choir and Orchestra were conducted by James Kallembach. Soloists were Kaitlin Foley, soprano, Angela Young-Smucker, mezzo-soprano, Matthew Dean, tenor, and Andrew Schultze, bass.
After having heard Music of the Baroque just a week ago, this was a very different experience, as is to be expected. This is, after all, a college group. The chorus sang well, with enthusiasm, under Mr. Kallembach's direction. The orchestra was not always successful in hanging together and there were sometimes pitch problems.
The Christmas Oratorio is a joyous piece. Sometimes the orchestra felt a bit leaden. One wanted it to lift off the ground and fly.
Kaitlin Foley has a light soprano voice that could not always be heard in the Bach. In the Kyr, the part was higher and the balance better. Her upper voice is a bit sharp. A lower breath would help this.
Angela Young-Smucker has a truly lovely voice. Again she was sometimes covered by the orchestra, as she was in 'Bereite sich Zion', where the solo violin provided too much competition. Someone needs to sit in the hall and check balances!
Matthew Dean is an ideal Evangelist, with a light high effortless voice. His recitatives were excellent. He did not fare quite as well in the aria.
Andrew Schultze has a covered bass sound. He was able to negotiate the demands of range without much emotional connection.
The Kyr work is a tonal telling of the Christmas story, apparently in homage to the Bach oratorio. There are no surprises in it. It was interesting to hear it.
All in all this was an acceptable performance. To compare it to MOB would be unfair, but unavoidable.
I am hearing more music in Chicago in a week than I hear in Sandisfield all winter!
Yipee!
