Concert/fun (December 19, 2011)

We have had the good fortune to have Laura Inman conducting the Choral Union at ASU for two-and-a-half years now; she invited us to attend the holiday performance of the professional chorus she sings with (Phoenix Chorale).  PJ, Chris, PJr, Nedda, me attended at Brophy Chapel.

This must be the best choir I've ever heard live (ok, it is a fairly short list); we've heard them twice now (first time being this delightful experience).  And the program (posted below) was just the mix of Christmas music that I would go for.  I think "Of the Father's Love Begotten" is about my favorite Christmas song (and it is so rarely performed); except for maybe "Lo, How a Rose" or Lauridsen's "O Magnum Mysterium"; and now perhaps also the Ola Gjeilo version of "O Magnum Mysterium".  All these were on the program(!), which was nice for me; along with other fine works, notably the arrangement of "Away in a Manger."  (The crowd definitely was captivated by the time the Gjeilo work came along, it was completely quiet, I needed to move a falling-asleep foot but was terrified to do so in case the creaky pew might have creaked.)

Then we met up at the "Vig Uptown" for some v. nice post-concert yakking (including LI and our Choral Union buddy, Bob), with refreshments.

Nice evening. PC Program 12 19 11