Musica Sacra + Songs of the Divine
At St. John the Divine last night.
Musica Sacra Chorus.
Maestro Kent Tritle, Music Director
Maestro Michael Sheetz, Assistant Music Director
Maestro Kent Tritle conducted last night at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine the Chorus Musica Sacra in a magnificent program of songs of praise.
The program included the following pieces:
Os Justi Anton Bruckner (1824-1896)
Hark, I hear the Harps Eternal art Alice Parker (1925 -)
City Called Heaven Traditional Spiritual
Janet Pittman, soprano
Alleluia Randall Thompson (189901984)
The Lamb Robert Convery (1954-)
An American Kedushah Alice Parker
Sara Murphy, mezzo-soprano
John Tiranno, tenor
Op. 16 Deutsche Motette Richard Strauss (1864-1949)
Christine Price, soprano
Sara Murphy, mezzo-soprano
John Tiranno, tenor
Joseph Beutel, bass-baritone
Now is the Cool of the Day Jean Richtie (1922-2015)
Spem in alium Thomas Tallis (c.1505-1585)
Very difficult program performed masterly by the ensemble of some 40 voices and the excellent soloists which he chose for this program, sopranos Janet Pittman and Christine Price, mezzo-soprano Sara Murphy, tenor John Tiranno and bass-baritone Joseph Beutel.
While beautifully holding the pieces and their message together in a cohesive and expressive way throughout, Maestro Tritle managed some effects in that enormous space which are still resonating in my heart.
Beautiful voices, beautiful sounds which became mesmerizing phrases that mingled with each other in a music making fashion which I have not heard in a long while.
My standing ovation and applause to Maestro Tritle, to the ensemble and soloists, as well as to Maestro’s assistant, Mr. Michael Sheetz, for a magnificent performance.
Francisco ChahÃn-Casanova
