Second Thoughts
The third concert in the local Bach Society series will be remembered for two "Firsts": one was the conjoining of James Rightmyer and the Choral Arts Society, the Cathedral of the Assumption Choir plus the Louisville Youth Concert Choir. The other was that by singing together, the Society gave a "first" to one of the more challenging motets, "My Hope Is Not In Any Other." by a very talented Englishman, Thomas Tallis.
To celebrate Elizabeth the First's 40th birthday, Tallis, the court musician, composed the motet for an unparallelled 40 vocal parts, with eight choirs divided into five parts each and it brought together all 40 voices at the 40th Bar.
The Bach Society furnished four choirs and their guests handled the others. As Harvey Turner and Alexander Redden of the Bach Society told Louisville Music News, "every one has to keep time and be alert for every note, even if they don't have to sing it. If you don't, you can't keep up with the score and you can't find your way back!" While the Society has been rehearsing their parts since New Year's, the four groups only practiced together for a week.
The audience showed its appreciation in no uncertain terms.
Another local first opened the program. The Bach Society gave a very moving presentation of Luigi Cherubini's "Requiem," which both Beethoven and Schumann praised in the highest terms. It is a somber and serious requiem that avoids melancholy.
Two other graphic and thoughtful motets completed the program: Gabrieli's "Let All Races And Nations Praise The Lord" and Johann Sebastian Bach's "The Spirit Helps Us." The Society had performed both earlier this season but this nevertheless presentation was fresh, vital and thoughtful.
John Hale's program notes were most useful as was his pre-Concert presentation. This concert filled Holy Spirit Church and the sound was desirable.
Call 585-BACH for info about the Society's April concert.