Musica Sacra + Songs of the Divine at St. John's the Divine last night

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 Chahín-Casanova