With "Et misericordia," soprano soloist Jean Danton showed off her phenomenal skill. She has sung with both the Handel and Haydn Society and the Boston Pops Orchestra; she is currently a member of the voice faculty at Boston College. Backed up by the chorale, she sang with passion and force.
One of the best movements of the evening came with Rutter's "Fecit potentium." It began with the amazing string section of the orchestra, and was soon joined by the men, singing in a staccato style that rose to fill the chapel and then immediately quieted. Rutter brought a little jazz to his Magnificat in this movement, which the chorale obviously enjoyed singing. Finney conducted with his usual grand gestures, making sure that no one missed a cue or a crescendo. The movement then shifted to feature the organ, drums, and an almost Psycho-esque melody in the strings, which made the movement strange, but incredibly interesting.
While the entire performance was excellent, the chorale should be applauded especially for mastering this complex movement.
The "Esurientes" movement felt more traditional, as Danton and the Chorale offered what almost seemed like a lullaby. The last movement, "Gloria Patri," was beautifully done, with Danton featured. Bass instruments and voices dominated to start, the notes swelling in the acoustics of the chapel.
In what seemed to be a favorite technique of Rutter, the piece had a rapid decrescendo before building back up to incorporate the entire chorale. The final portion brought back much of the energy with which the Magnificat began, using the same melody and tempo. It was joyous and energetic, ending with the word "Amen" being passed around the Chorale before a triumphant finish.
The University Chorale put together a solid performance of two entirely different interpretations the Canticle of Mary. It showed off its range and diversity by switching between an 18th century piece and a 20th century piece, managing the shifting styles with apparent ease. It received a standing ovation from the audience, who will be sure to attend the chorale's next performance. The Christmas Concert will be Dec. 2-4 at Trinity Chapel.
Spring Break
