A brief upbeat orchestral overture opens Bach's hymn of praise. It's followed by a choral declaration, "Magnificat anima mea Dominum," "My soul praises the Lord," repeated by the four parts of the 57-member chorus in rising crescendos. Soprano Jody Weatherstone then echoed the words of Mary in announcing, "My spirit rejoices in God my savior." Then mezzo-soprano Kristine MacMillan voiced "the lowliness of his handmaid" to descending scales accompanied by oboe and harpsichord. The full chorus capped the verse with a resonant invocation of "all generations shall call me blessed." In the verses that followed, bass Robert Pollsen and tenor Rudolf Kellmann sang moving solos, Kellmann and Weatherstone offered a plaintive duet, and the chorus rose to a stirring doxology with a rolling Gloria climbing to the heavens.

Rutter's "Magnificat" opens on a joyous note and swings right into a modern merry romp without a pause, the full 33-piece orchestra accompanying with a seamless flourish and fanfare. Soon comes the traditional poem "Of a Rose" with male and female voices intoning antiphonal stanzas and joining in the refrain, "Of a Rose is all my song." Altos lead into an interlude of the "Sanctus" from the Mass, and mezzo MacMillan sang two beautiful solos in prayers for mercy, striking the higher registers with graceful clarity and color. She also led the chorus in the "Sancta Maria," another devout petition, before the trumpet and timpani swept to a rollicking finale.

The two "Magnificats" are a study in contrast, each rewarding in its musical range and wonderful execution. Kudos again to Kohler and her group for enriching our season of music.

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A brief upbeat orchestral overture opens Bach's hymn of praise. It's followed by a choral declaration, "Magnificat anima mea Dominum," "My soul praises the Lord," repeated by the four parts of the 57-member chorus in rising crescendos. Soprano Jody Weatherstone then echoed the words of Mary in announcing, "My spirit rejoices in God my savior." Then mezzo-soprano Kristine MacMillan voiced "the lowliness of his handmaid" to descending scales accompanied by oboe and harpsichord. The full chorus capped the verse with a resonant invocation of "all generations shall call me blessed." In the verses that followed, bass Robert Pollsen and tenor Rudolf Kellmann sang moving solos, Kellmann and Weatherstone offered a plaintive duet, and the chorus rose to a stirring doxology with a rolling Gloria climbing to the heavens.

Rutter's "Magnificat" opens on a joyous note and swings right into a modern merry romp without a pause, the full 33-piece orchestra accompanying with a seamless flourish and fanfare. Soon comes the traditional poem "Of a Rose" with male and female voices intoning antiphonal stanzas and joining in the refrain, "Of a Rose is all my song." Altos lead into an interlude of the "Sanctus" from the Mass, and mezzo MacMillan sang two beautiful solos in prayers for mercy, striking the higher registers with graceful clarity and color. She also led the chorus in the "Sancta Maria," another devout petition, before the trumpet and timpani swept to a rollicking finale.

The two "Magnificats" are a study in contrast, each rewarding in its musical range and wonderful execution. Kudos again to Kohler and her group for enriching our season of music.

Home Page | About Us | History | Alumni | Current Members | Personnel Profiles
For Members Only | Repertoire | Performance Reviews | Sounds | Photos | Calendar of Events
Directions | Community Support | Guest Book | Contact Us | Links

Site design & hosting by
Arrow Web Design