By Douglas Neslund
Dear Grant,
“Their voices become light, And the
light sings …” is a perfect textual parody for the
concert you offered us over the last two nights. But light needs a focus, and
you are the focus, the prism, for that light to become music beyond mere notes
on paper.
Thank you for the illuminating music of
Eric Whitacre and Arvo Pärt, in their own unique way composers of completely
different origins who understand the human voice and the shimmering magic of
Nature’s overtone patterns so often unheard and constricted by tuning of equal temperament
or covered by instrumental accompaniment, but clearly heard in an a cappella performance.
“And
the angels in the glass, Softly sang …”
You keep telling us that you are “the
luckiest” person to be able to stand in front of such a consortium of singing
musicians, but one suspects they would not be quite so bright, quite so
musical, without the prism that is you, focusing their voices and radiating
their light.
“Light
filled the chamber …”
Thank you for the 14 years of music,
old and new, familiar and unheard, harmonic and otherwise, that you and the
Master Chorale have offered. Obviously, the fact that the public now has two
opportunities to hear each of the items on the schedule is testament to the choral
excellence you have developed over that time. We have enjoyed watching you grow
as a musician, too. Baroque, for example, was an uncertain link in your baton, but
now is a mastered art form.
“She
heard her voice Echo, …”
Thank you for being a good friend to so
many. You must also take stock of your own needs, and guard your health! We all
tend to take good health for granted, but flying long hours to conduct just one
performance, then flying long hours again back … your resume doesn’t need
enhancement. We need for that magic that is your focus to continue far into the
future: whole, healthy and as youthfully adventurous as always.
“Holy,
Holy, Holy. …”
Have a blessed and thrilling summer
festival season, Grant, and come back in the Fall recharged and renewed, once
again to bless those who are the lucky ones, the ones who get to hear the
shimmering overtones and sometimes lusty roar of beauty that is the Los Angeles
Master Chorale.
---000---
A
personal note, if I may … this is my last regular LA Opus review, as a move out of
state is in the offing. Editor Rod Punt has graciously invited occasional
reviews from the new location, and I have gratefully accepted his kind offer.
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