From: SelfTo: saseditr@stserv Subject: unsolicited concert review Cc: mizielin@ruby Reply-to: J-Gallagher@indstate.edu Date: Thu, 24 Apr 1997 15:24:24 -0500 Dear Editor - I attended the choral concert presented last night by the University Singers and the ISU Chorale. I wanted to write my impressions of the experience, and decided to forward a copy (unsolicited) to you in case you were interested in publishing it in the Indiana Statesman. (See text below.) I am also forwarding a copy to Dr. Zielinski, who conducted the concert, in case he is interested in feedback from a member of the audience. - John G. ===================================================================== CONCERT REVIEW University Singers and ISU Chorale Dr. Richard Zielinski, Director with guests ISU Faculty Brass Quintet Terre Haute Children's Choir Wednesday, April 23, 1997, 7:30pm Tilson Auditorium As the program notes for this concert pointed out, Dr. Zielinski is the Director of Choral Activities at ISU, and he will assume the position of Music Director of the Terre Haute Choral Society next fall. As a new member of the Choral Society myself, I wanted to observe Dr. Zielinski on stage to catch a glimpse of what to expect later this year. The program began with the University Singers performing J.S. Bach's cantata 150, Nach dir, Herr, verlanget mich ("For thee, Lord, is my desire"), accompanied by Brenda Cates on the organ. The balance was good among the voice parts, and the blending of the soloists in the trio movement was especially impressive. This listener had trouble hearing the words (granted I do not speak German, although I have sung Bach), but this seemed to clear up as the work progressed. (Whether the chorus actually improved their diction or my ears gradually adjusted, I cannot say.) The next two sections of the concert were performed by the ISU Chorale, a somewhat younger-sounding group. The program was somewhat confusing in that it listed "Three Hungarian Folk-Songs" but showed four titles (one song was repeated in the actual performance), but the singers wonderfully expressed the moods of the songs. The diction was exceptionally clear, even in the rapid passages. ("Crimson rose" would be difficult at any tempo, but the singers managed to enunciate this with no hesitation.) The pieces in the "African Heritage" section were joyfully presented, complete with percussion repeating complex patterns against the choral sounds of the "Halleluya!" To the ears of this listener, the sopranos tended to sing slightly sharp, but this may have been due to the excitement of the pieces, and the intonation of the group as a whole did not suffer because of it. Then the University Singers returned for a series of sacred anthems, during which the audience was so caught up in the music that all applause was held until the entire section was over. The "Verbum caro factum est" by Hassler was a masterful work, creating antiphonal effects with ever-changing groupings of voices within the ensemble as a whole. This was immediately followed by a piece by Tschesnokoff which displayed many characteristics we have come to expect in Russian sacred music: deep bass tones offset by women's voices floating in high harmonies; full, rich sonorities; and a warm treatment of the text. My only complaint would be that the sopranos sounded at times too heavy for the angelic choir I had imagined they were to represent musically. Overall, the deep meditative mood captured the audience in a reverential hush. The "Ave Maria" concluded the section, with a trio of soloists standing out from the rest of the choir. Again, the choir was well balanced and the blending of the solo voices was very good. Three "American Spirituals" followed, delivered with sincerity by the ensemble. At times the moving middle parts (alto and tenor) came through so strongly that I had trouble hearing the sopranos singing the melody at the low end of their range, but the overall mood was not affected by this slight imbalance. For the finale, Dr. Zielinski displayed his philosophy that music should bring people together, and that participation is part of the enjoyment of music, by selecting "How Firm a Foundation" in an arrangement by ISU music faculty member Dr. David Watkins. In this performance, the University Singers and ISU Chorale were joined by the Terre Haute Children's Choir and the ISU Faculty Brass Quintet. In addition, the audience (many of whom were parents of the members of the Children's Choir) was invited to join in the fifth verse of the hymn, thus involving everyone present in the performance. The evening ended with the singing of the Indiana State University Alma Mater, as the audience stood in tribute to Dr. Watkins, whose 33 years of service as an ISU faculty member (including his membership in the ISU Faculty Brass Quintet) have been appreciated by many at the University and in the community at large. As I left the auditorium, I felt satisfied with the performances, and indeed edified by the program, that the University Singers and ISU Chorale had presented. My impression was that Dr. Zielinski is capable of raising the standard of performance of choral music here in Terre Haute to a new level of excellence, and that he has a desire to share his passion with as many as will join him. I believe we can anticipate great things in the future from Dr. Zielinski, from the Voice and Choral Division of the ISU Music Department, and from community groups such as the Terre Haute Choral Society. John Gallagher April 24, 1997 _____ John Gallagher Indiana State University Computing Services (812) 237-8399