TrulyGrace

Notre Dame Choir--Tour 2006

Well, it turns out that Rachel was one of the main alumni organizers for the Notre Dame chorale that visited this past Saturday as part of their 2006 Winter tour. I had a chance to hear the Notre Dame choir at the six o'clock evening Mass at the Cathedral, as well as at the concert following the Mass in Synod Hall. The program included the Hallelujah chorale (Beethoven); a selection of seasonal carols, including The Holly and the Ivy, two versions of In dulci iubilo (from an early/16th C. Berlin manuscript and from B. Gesius); three Schubert lieder translated into English and arranged for chorus, including a Goethe poem; Schumann lieder translated and arranged for chorus (including the same poem); Cantique de Jean Racine (Faure); and selections from Handel's Messiah.

The chorale presented a consistently well-blended, silken smooth sound. The accompanist, Paivi Ekroth, did a superb job throughout the evening. In addition to directing the choir, Alex Blachly had arranged some lieder for the chorus. They had invited chorale alumni to join them for the Handel selections at the end. About half a dozen of them emerged from the audience, Rachel included.

I had a chance to briefly chat with Rachel before and after the concert. She was busy all afternoon with chorale members, finding hosts for all the choir members, and attending to other administrative tasks. I took leave as she and Don, the Cathedral music director, began to chat after the concert.

After the performance, a small group of us went out for dinner and drinks at the Union Grill. Brenda, our favorite waitress, served us. Barbara from Pastoral Council joined the choir/music group for dinner. A comfortable, relaxed evening ensued where we discussed topics as diverse as pets and their characteristics; to contemporary liturgical music and its composers; to teaching and students' opinions.

posted by Grace @ 1/16/2006 12:06:00 PM