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And so it was, with Maestro Gershon presiding over one of, if
not the greatest, choral ensembles on mother Earth, and with Ms.
Johnston offering a decidedly effective depiction of both the
angel Gabriel and First Woman Eve, partnered in song by tenor
Hak Soo Kim as the angel Uriel and by baritone Sanford
Sylvan as the angel Raphael and subbing (so to speak) for
Mr. Gershon as Adam. An excellent Los Angeles Master Chorale
Orchestra, led by concertmaster Ralph Morrison and
hand-picked by Steve Scharf, provided the Master Chorale with
first-class, stylish support throughout.
Notably aware of Haydn’s need, in a musical world moving
inexorably from the Classical to the Romantic, to fashion a
statement in the opening “Evocation of Chaos,” Maestro Gershon
took the unusual approach among modern double-shot-espresso
conductors of allowing Haydn to depict the chaotic, pre-creation
globe with a feeling of solemn eternity and an depiction of eons
that provide a proper launching pad for the joyous days of
creation to follow.
Mr. Gershon’s maturing process over the first ten seasons, so
obvious to those observing his work over that decade, fully
validates the Master Chorale’s Board’s extension of his
leadership, to the obvious delight of concertgoers. Particularly
remarkable is his attention to detail, whether a work is of
contemporary origin, or one drawn from the rich musical heritage
of the past. Never does he appear to be lost in the score, or
unsure of a directorial gesture. His forces can rely on a steady
hand at the helm, and into that he mixes the magic of the music.
The full Master Chorale sang with clarity of German
articulation, while an English translation of sorts was provided
in supertitles above the stage. The German as sung by the
soloists was a bit less clear, but Ms. Johnston’s parts lay in
such high tessitura, text cannot meant to be over-articulated.
Her roles require coloratura flights to the heights, which she
managed with brilliant, clarion tone. Mr. Kim had some brilliant
moments as Uriel, too, but Mr. Sylvan, whose roles required
frequent recitativos, entered many of those in pitches decidedly
below those desired.
The effect of hearing brilliant music-making, most especially
that of Franz Josef Haydn, is to send an audience out into the
early Spring night feeling like all is well after all. The
effect lasts until news at eleven.
For
tickets to other Los Angeles Master Chorale concerts, call (213)
972-7211 or visit www.lamc.org
Douglas Neslund
is Classical Voice correspondent and a noted voice/choral teacher in
Los Angeles.
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