It was heartening to see the St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church filled to capacity for the de Profundis seasonal concert on Sunday afternoon. The a capella men's chorus directed by David Poole likes to hold its seasonal concert early, avoiding the usual crush of craziness as the holiday draws near. 

The group always makes a special effort to present a program beyond the usual seasonal offerings. And indeed in this year's concert entitled "Glad Tidings" the ensemble offers a collection of Christmas and Hanukkah music, even working in a setting of Buddhist scripture.

This rich blend of tenors, baritones and basses began with three works of hushed serenity, the homophonic Of the Father's Love Begotten eventually becoming enriched with harmony. A collection of American carols followed, all characterized by a rough-hewn character. The martial rhythms of The Morning Trumpet gave way to the rocking feel of Transmigration, written by a Revolutionary War Minuteman with the colorful name of Supply Belcher. The Advent Carol by Pfautsch glorifies the "king riding high."

A repeating melody Mi Zeh Y'maleil (I sing of the wonders) celebrates Hanukkah in an arrangement from the Jews of Tetuan, Morocco. Crowning the first half was Gabrieli's sonorously majestic Renaissance motet Jubilate Deo, written for the divided choir of St. Mark's cathedral in Venice.

The second half brought more familiar seasonal fare, though often in uncommon arrangements, such as Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming. This was not the familiar setting by Michael Praetorius, but one by Donald Campfield in which the tune is often in voices other than the top. While By My Sheep featured a call and response design, with a quartet of singers placed offstage. A cheery Christmas Greeting by Eddleman preceded the wonderfully lilting Gloucestershire Wassail with all voice groups having a go at the main tune. Two Spanish carols, the oft-sung Riu Riu Chiu was tastefully paired with the graceful lullaby A la Nanita Nana arranged by Norman Luboff with an arresting change from minor to major mode.

Two spirituals, the counting song, Children, Go Where I Send Thee, and
Glory Hallelujah to dun Newbo’n King brought the printed program to a close, but the group continued with an encore—the well-known March of the Kings arranged by Robert Shaw for his Chorale, the music taken from Bizet's L'Arlesienne Suite.

This concert repeats on Saturday, December 1, 7:30pm at Immanuel Presbyterian Church, and excerpts will be heard on December 9th at 2pm at 715 Candelaria, a benefit concert for the Albuquerque Opportunity Center, a shelter for homeless men. www.depro.org

Your Name:

Your Email Address:

Rate this article:
Poor Great

Comment:

BOLD

"QUOTE"

UNDERLINE