This past weekend, the Chesapeake Choral Arts Society presented a beautiful program of seasonal music at Peace Lutheran Church in Waldorf, MD. The icing on this solemn and joyous program was the feast served at the event on Saturday night (Sunday’s lords and ladies in attendance got a sumptious dessert repast).
. . . a solemn and joyous program . . .
Concert goers were ushered in by a quartet playing gentle period music. Prior to dinner being served, the group sang Masters In This Hall (a traditional French Carol); “Nova, Nova,” “Ave Fit Ex Eva” (by a woman composer of the time, Williametta Spencer; the title means “News! News! The obedience of Mary cured the disobedience of Eve”); and O Magnum Mysterium. Following dinner, the concert resumed with “Deck the Halls” in 7/8 time; “Noel, Sing Noel;” “Ave Maria Gratia Plena;” “Sweet Little Jesus Boy;” and selections by The MadriGals, a subset of the Choral Arts Society; and Veni, Veni, Emanuel.
Then came dessert–figgy pudding and/or trifle. After, guest harpist Jacquelien Pollauf, gave an achingly beautiful rendition of A Ceremony of Carols; she was mesmerizing. She accompanied the Choral Arts Society and provided the bridges between the 11 pieces of the Ceremony.
The voices were beautifully modulated and clear. Under the careful direction of Leroy Pressley they sang in several languages (English, Latin, German) and were entirely comfortable in each. The pacing was crisp.
The finale of the night was a rendition of “Stille Nacht”–two verses in German–and the final verse in
For more information on the Chesapeake Choral Arts Society’s upcoming programs for the 2018-2019 season, please click here.
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