Here's something you might be interested in.
There was yet another Mozart Requiem this last weekend. As far as I'm concerned, there can be a Mozart Requiem every weekend because I love it.
The Bach Collegium San Diego performed the masterpiece at St. James by the Sea in La Jolla and at Crill Auditorium on the Campus of Point Loma Nazarene University. I caught the Point Loma rendition.
This was a "period performance". Period performance means that the performance practices of the period the music is from are observed as far as possible. Even the venue is part of it. Crill Auditorium seats about 400 and that would have been a biggish hall in Mozart's day.
Period performance also means the instruments are different than in a present-day orchestra. The most obvious differences are that the strings don't play with vibrato and some of the brass and woodwinds look unfamiliar.
There are several other differences but the overall effect is that the orchestra sounds a little leaner and meaner.
Period instruments can be more difficult to keep in tune but The Bach Collegium played them wonderfully.
Both the orchestra and chorus were tight the entire evening. There were a few miniscule missteps but nothing worth mentioning.
Bach Collegium founder and Music Director, Ruben Valenzuela, conducted. His tempos were quick and exciting. I found the rhythmic energy of the orchestra and chorus to be thrilling.
The musical entrance on the Sanctus section was an explosion that blew my hair back. With 24 players in the orchestra and 24 singers in the chorus, the musical resources weren't enormous but they packed a punch.
In San Diego, we rarely get the chance to hear a chorus that is composed exclusively of competent singers. The chorus was confident and clear. There were no sections that were musically murky.
The music making was first rate and this was almost an extraordinary concert.
To be continued...
There was yet another Mozart Requiem this last weekend. As far as I'm concerned, there can be a Mozart Requiem every weekend because I love it.
The Bach Collegium San Diego performed the masterpiece at St. James by the Sea in La Jolla and at Crill Auditorium on the Campus of Point Loma Nazarene University. I caught the Point Loma rendition.
This was a "period performance". Period performance means that the performance practices of the period the music is from are observed as far as possible. Even the venue is part of it. Crill Auditorium seats about 400 and that would have been a biggish hall in Mozart's day.
Period performance also means the instruments are different than in a present-day orchestra. The most obvious differences are that the strings don't play with vibrato and some of the brass and woodwinds look unfamiliar.
There are several other differences but the overall effect is that the orchestra sounds a little leaner and meaner.
Period instruments can be more difficult to keep in tune but The Bach Collegium played them wonderfully.
Both the orchestra and chorus were tight the entire evening. There were a few miniscule missteps but nothing worth mentioning.
Bach Collegium founder and Music Director, Ruben Valenzuela, conducted. His tempos were quick and exciting. I found the rhythmic energy of the orchestra and chorus to be thrilling.
The musical entrance on the Sanctus section was an explosion that blew my hair back. With 24 players in the orchestra and 24 singers in the chorus, the musical resources weren't enormous but they packed a punch.
In San Diego, we rarely get the chance to hear a chorus that is composed exclusively of competent singers. The chorus was confident and clear. There were no sections that were musically murky.
The music making was first rate and this was almost an extraordinary concert.
To be continued...