Sad Announcement

We thought many of you would want to know that Mark Ridings' father passed away Dec. 26. He had struggled with congestive heart failure for the past five years and was 70 years old. The funeral service will be at 11:00 on Monday morning, Dec. 29 at Lemley Funeral Home in Oneonta. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers you consider making a donation to the non-profit company that provided hospice to Mr. Ridings. If you wish to do so individually, details may be found at the following website: http://www.newbeacon.org/donations .

The Concert Chorale has arranged to have a potted plant delivered to Mark's home with our corporate condolences. If you wish to send an individual note, Mark's email address is mridings@vhumc.org .

We hope you have all had a wonderful holiday season, best wishes for a properous New Year and see you at rehearsal on January 5.

BCC Archives

Remember, you can see our latest review 24/7 (or refer your friends to it) as well as reviews from recent years by going to the concertchorale.org website and clicking on "Member Info" and "Archives."

Five Star Review

I don't believe in letting others determine my self-worth . . .

but a five-star review sure is nice!

The whole review here.

A portion here:

Leppard molded this exquisite music like raw clay, fashioning it into a sculpturesque masterpiece that surely would have pleased Handel. Everything clicked, from the edgy string playing to John McElroy's piccolo trumpet, from dramatic airs by the vocal soloists to the engaged singers of the 120-strong Birmingham Concert Chorale, who seemed genuinely excited about finding unique insights in a 266-year-old staple.

A highlight reel might begin with the Sinfonia, the ASO strings crisp and lively with incisively-etched imitation in the fugue, and end with a spine-tingling "Amen" that retained its transparency despite full-throttled volume.

The conductor's insistence on concise choral singing, even in the difficult melismas, paid off in "And He shall purify" and "Since by Man came Death," in which a chamber choir of 24 alternated with full chorus. In "But Thanks be to God," the quartet of soloists took a choral role. The three-dimensional depth in these modifications was striking.

---

The "Hallelujah" chorus is hard to upstage, but the BCC, ably prepared by Philip Copeland, delivered just as much heart and passion to the less prominent, and in many ways more difficult, "His Yoke is easy" and "All we, like Sheep."

Leppard has given Birmingham an intelligent and fluid "Messiah" that overwhelmed the heart without numbing the senses, and which is likely to be pondered for some time.

The whole review here.

Opus Article

A pdf version of the current Opus magazine article on the Chorale is now posted in the archives. You can view/download at: http://concertchorale.org/addendum/archives/opus_winter_08.PDF

the early review: a "Messiah" to be remembered

more here.

Raymond Leppard's concept of how Handel's "Messiah" should go might be a little risky. Choirs and orchestras don't often take kindly to too much manipulation of the score, even in an oratorio for which it's expected.

But the proof is in the listening, and the 81-year-old maestro's brilliant, sculptural vision of multiple choruses and bands of instruments made this "Messiah" one of the most satisfying in memory.

Everything clicked, from the edgy string playing John McElroy's piccolo trumpet, from dramatic airs from the vocal soloists to the 120 voices of the Birmingham Concert Chorale, who seemed genuinely excited about finding unique insights into a 266-year-old annual staple.

Leppard has given Birmingham a "Messiah" to be remembered.

a great rehearsal with leppard

There is much to say about last night's rehearsal with Maestro Leppard.

A few quick thoughts:

• I was very pleased with his work with you . . . you responded quickly to his ideas and made changes quickly.
• Dale Reynolds and the ASC Staff created a great stage for the group.
• We need to rehearse in a bigger room. The sound of the choir was not as good at the beginning as it was at the end. You made adjustments as you went along because you could hear . . . and you learned to listen as the rehearsal progressed. We'll talk more about different rooms soon.
• Vowel shapes influence pitch. I hope I can address this before rehearsal begins tonight.
• You held up well throughout the long rehearsal. I appreciate your stamina and your dedication to this grand event. It's going to be a wonderful performance.
  

News and Radio

We're in the news and radio this week.

I do my best to honor you and not make a fool out of myself in a radio interview here and a newspaper article here.

This is a decent quote from me:

Copeland said it will be a "Messiah" like no other, even for those who know it well.

"The thinking that Leppard brings is creative and, I would use the word 'brilliant.' He's not just someone trying to do authentic performance practice. He has embraced the performance practice spirit and brought a unique flair to it."

But here's what I find most interesting:

Leppard is confident his ideas will serve the purposes of "Messiah," which are as much dramatic as spiritual.

"Handel wasn't a great believer, but he was so moved by the whole concept of 'Messiah,' and that's probably true for a lot of people," he said. "Music will do that a lot of times."

I find Leppard's comment about his dramatic and spiritual ideas to be the most fascinating part of the article. That's what I've found most interesting in preparing my first Messiah with you guys . . . the dramatic and spiritual nature of Leppard's ideas. I think we are in for a treat . . . and I'll see you there soon!

plc

Messiah Performance Week Schedule

Messiah Performance Week Schedule

NOTE: ALL remaining rehearsals for Messiah will be at the Alys Stephens Center!

Enter and check-in at back of Jemison Concert Hall downstairs (entrance at foot of stairs)
Leave all coats, purses, etc. in an audience chair - make sure cell phones are OFF
You may have bottled water on the stage for rehearsals....but no open containers or Starbucks!
Space is very tight so please bring only yourself, score, pencil and water to the stage
Reminder: Do not ask any questions of the conductor....make a note of them and ask Philip or Dale later

CALL TIMES:

Monday, Dec. 15 - 6:30 in Concert Hall (or a bit earlier if possible for seating)
Tuesday, Dec. 16 - 6:30 in Concert Hall
Thursday, Dec. 18 - 6:30 in Concert Hall
Friday, Dec. 19 - 7:00 in formal attire in Hulsey Recital Hall (downstairs next door)

All rehearsals are scheduled 7:00-9:30 for this week - Friday's performance starts at 8:00 p.m.

VOUCHERS:

The performance may be sold out by now (it was very close on Wednesday). However, as a reminder, you may NOT present a voucher the night of the performance as a ticket. It must be redeemed for an actual ticket at the ASO Box Office (on 6th Avenue South between 36th and 37th Street).

Monday December 15 rehearsal

Rehearsal this coming Monday, December 15 is at the Alys Stephens Center.

Please arrive at 6:30 (for seating/placement issues) ready to go!

Email Issues

The ASO Ticket announcement just prior to this listing was emailed to our membership Tuesday morning as the article was being posted to the blog. If you did NOT receve this email, it is either because your software is rejecting our mail to you, or we do not have your correct address. Please email concertchorale@yahoo.com if you believe the latter might be the case.

ASO Tickets

BCC Members,

The ASO has just announced a 15% discount to BCC members on ASO tickets. To take advantage of this offer or to redeem BCC vouchers, you must go to the ASO Business offices, located at 3621 6th Avenue South. You can only redeem vouchers and get the BCC discount at this address, and in person.

If you were not at rehearsal 12/1, please see Vicky Carstens next Monday to receive your voucher for the Messiah performance.

Also a reminder that rehearsal next Monday (12/8) begins at 7:15 pm at Briarwood.

Your BCC Board