Below is the poster for the recent Christmas concert by The ASU Choral Union. It was the second concert with this group for Christoph, Paul Jr. and me. I loved being part of our Brahms concert in October (see post of October 17). The experience of singing with a high-quality orchestra is quite a fine thing. That concert also was educational for me as I had no real previous exposure to that type of music -- and learned that it's good stuff.
Our expectations for the holiday concert initially were pretty low -- the seasonal music seemed less sophisticated, etc. But in the end the programming for this event was wonderful. The first half included pieces from Berlioz, Handel, Mendelssohn and Beethoven; I couldn't really tell you which piece I enjoyed more, all were just delightful. The second half included the more traditional carols (albeit with interesting Rutter settings) and the sing-along, which went very well. The second half also included a 2004 setting of the traditional "O Come , O Come Emmanuel," and featured a violin soloist who was absolutely lights out. Small world story: Virgil & spouse (Grandpa & Grandma's neighbor from St. Joe, Iowa) were in attendance by sheer coincidence, and we're told they liked what they heard. In any event, this was absolutely the finest Christmas concert that I was ever associated with. We're told that the Phoenix public TV station recorded the event and will broadcast it in a future holiday season, and I'm hopeful of getting a copy of the video sooner than later.
Part of the enjoyment for the listener (or performer) with this type of music is recalling the various places in which the traditional songs have been enjoyed over the years. I certainly recalled the Notre Dame Glee Club Christmas concerts, recording our Christmas album in 1977, and singing carols in the library during finals week; high school concerts; caroling (complete with costumes) arranged by Clara Bormann; how much my Grandma Gales enjoyed singing carols in the living room on the farm house on the hill; midnight Mass with the ad hoc choirs at St. Joe church; and many more. Everyone has his or her own list. How do you beat this type of thing?
Our expectations for the holiday concert initially were pretty low -- the seasonal music seemed less sophisticated, etc. But in the end the programming for this event was wonderful. The first half included pieces from Berlioz, Handel, Mendelssohn and Beethoven; I couldn't really tell you which piece I enjoyed more, all were just delightful. The second half included the more traditional carols (albeit with interesting Rutter settings) and the sing-along, which went very well. The second half also included a 2004 setting of the traditional "O Come , O Come Emmanuel," and featured a violin soloist who was absolutely lights out. Small world story: Virgil & spouse (Grandpa & Grandma's neighbor from St. Joe, Iowa) were in attendance by sheer coincidence, and we're told they liked what they heard. In any event, this was absolutely the finest Christmas concert that I was ever associated with. We're told that the Phoenix public TV station recorded the event and will broadcast it in a future holiday season, and I'm hopeful of getting a copy of the video sooner than later.
Part of the enjoyment for the listener (or performer) with this type of music is recalling the various places in which the traditional songs have been enjoyed over the years. I certainly recalled the Notre Dame Glee Club Christmas concerts, recording our Christmas album in 1977, and singing carols in the library during finals week; high school concerts; caroling (complete with costumes) arranged by Clara Bormann; how much my Grandma Gales enjoyed singing carols in the living room on the farm house on the hill; midnight Mass with the ad hoc choirs at St. Joe church; and many more. Everyone has his or her own list. How do you beat this type of thing?
__________________________________________
Arizona State University Herberger College of Fine Arts
School of Music
presents the
ASU Symphony Orchestra
Timothy Russell, conductor
and
ASU Choral Union
David Schildkret and Joel Neves, conductors
in their beloved annual
Holiday Concert
Seasonal works by
Handel, Berlioz, Mendelssohn, and Beethoven,
plus
Holiday Favorites by Rutter, Tyzek, and others,
and featuring a
Christmas Carol Sing-Along
___________
Sunday, December 4, 2005
2:30 p.m.
Gammage Auditorium
____________
Tickets: $12.50 (Students, $7.50)
1 comment:
got it, thanks
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