Monday, December 7, 2009

Performance Review

 



University Chorus and Vandaleers during practice.  Unfortunately, this is very blurry and the stained glass windows don't show at all.  University of Idaho Auditorium (Admin Bldg) December 6, 2009.  



Magnificat

The performance was wonderful.  If I have any criticism at all it would be that the microphone was a tad too close to the trumpets.  Other than that, the whole program was magnificent! 

(Also, would I be out of line to say that I think some of the students have better voices than their instructors who sang the solos?)

Also performed:

This Little Babe from A Ceremony of Carols by Benjamin Britten   (I liked the music, but thought the words were "militant".)

A Glimpse of Snow and Evergreen from Pictures from the Northwest by Vijay Singh (very different, but pretty in a weird way - very quiet and peaceful like a snowy day when sound is muffled and the wind isn't blowing)

Frohlocket, Ihr Volker auf Erden by Felix Mendelssohn

O Nata Lux from Lux Aeterna by Morten Lauridsen

Three pieces arranged by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw:
The Holly and the Ivy
The First Nowell
Angels We Have Heard on High

Carol of the Bells by Mykola Leontovich - a gorgeous arrangement by Peter Wilhousky


Candlelight Carol by John Rutter  (If you aren't familiar with this one, you can listen to it here:  Candlelight Carol performed by Cambridge Singers )

Deck the Hall  - This was great, but the poor foreign students were all asking Carmen what Fa la la la la meant.  They just couldn't figure this one out at all.

****

I love that religious music is allowed to be performed at the University.

It was wonderful to have traditional and non-tradition Christmas music performed.

Despite the frigid cold and wind, there were maybe twenty empty seats in the whole auditorium.    

The roads were bare.

There wasn't much traffic.

We were able to park right next to the where the performance was held.

We were able to watch the pre-show rehearsal and meet some other choir members.

We had a simple but wonderful lunch in a little hole in the wall restaurant.  I think my new favorite "food" is spicy peanut butter sauce. :)

We met many of our daughter's friends - many who are foreign exchange students.  Many are graduate students.  Almost all are engineering or chemistry majors.  Very, very polite and friendly young people.  Some will be finishing school here; others will have to return home before they graduate.

I was able to visit with some old friends of mine.


We had a lovely visit with our daughter.

10 comments:

Betsy said...

Sounds like a lovely time, you're making me miss my choir days!

Madeline's Album said...

The program sounds like it was a wonderful one. Glad you had a good time and enjoyed the visit with your daughter and friends. Have a great day. Madeline

Auntie sezzzzzz... said...

So glad you got to make that wonderful trip. Glad the weather cooperated and all went "swimingly."

Lynn said...

Oh I love John Rutter. Off to listen to the link.

And it sounds like you had a terrific time getting to hear your daughter. How fun.

Browndirtcottage said...

I bet this was a good program!! I
love classical and choir type music!

Shay said...

What beautiful choices for a Christmas concert. Sounds like you are having a great visit.....

Cait O'Connor said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful time with music, family and friends.

Roxanne said...

I hope your computer glitches iron out soon!

Have a cozy and blessed Christmas with your family!

Vee said...

Oh I adore John Rutter's work. Some complain about its sweetness, but I love the sound of angels singing. :D

Thanks for popping by to say hello. Hope that you and yours are preparing for a wonderful Christmas warm and bright with good memories of former times.

Tess said...

I'm not a big fan of Rutter, but I adore Britten. We did his "Rejoice in the Lamb" a couple years ago. He always does have some interesting texts...