Three of this country’s best singers were heard in concert on Palm Sunday at the Abbey at Mount St. Benedict. Kory Mendez, Edward Cumberbatch, and David Williams, presented by MW Productions, sang a programme of mostly sacred songs, arias and ensembles, which brought the appreciative audience to their feet in a standing ovation.
From the very start, the concert flowed smoothly from one work to the next, so that the extensive programme did not seem long at all.
I applaud the artistes for not using amplification on this concert. I appreciated the beauty and natural timbre of the male voice in a well-chosen acoustical setting, which then allowed for naturally occurring overtones which enhanced the aural experience. Musicians/conductors spend years learning how to control tonal production, dynamics, balance, colour. It baffles me when artistes choose to use amplification, thereby summarily delegating artistic control over to a sound operator, who attends maybe one rehearsal and never knows the score.
The lack of amplification also allowed the artistes to draw the audience into the music with some poignant moments, such as the very intimate sections of Deep River/Steal Away sung by Williams and Mendez, arranged by Anton Williams, where the soft unaccompanied unison ending held the listener in the palm of their hands.
A pet peeve: May we please have a printed programme book at concerts? Most of your audience at this type of concert is over the age of 60. I am all for use of technology, but not everyone in this demographic is able to scan a QR code or wants to read a programme on their tiny phone screens. A translation of pieces in a foreign language would provide some valuable context. Remember, your audience experience is very important.
Particularly beautiful was Mendez’s rendition of the aria “If with all your hearts you truly seek me” from Mendelssohn’s oratorio Elijah. From the well-paced recitative that precedes the aria to the careful shaping of the legato melodic lines, Mendez sang assuredly and musically.
Another highlight of the concert was Cumberbatch’s performance of Then shall the righteous shine forth also from Elijah. A technically demanding aria which in the hands of this singer, sounded easy with its beautifully fluid phrasing and technical control.
Where ‘ere you walk, from the oratorio Semele by Handel, was sung by Williams who possesses a truly wonderful voice, even in its tone production from the lowest to highest registers. I would have liked a more fully ornamented repeat of the A section of the aria. Baroque arias typically have a repeated section. This is the opportunity for the performer to embellish or ornament the vocal line demonstrating their skill and artistry. It is not only desired but required.
In Handel’s time, audiences came not only to hear Handel’s new composition, but also in anticipation of what the particular singers would do with the ornamentation on the arias. It is akin to what jazz musicians do today with improvisation. It is an intrinsic part of the style.
Programming is an art in itself. It is not unusual for a music director to spend months curating an ideal programme. We strive for a variety of tempi, moods and affect. The first half consisted of frequently-performed sacred songs and arias from oratorios.
The second half was a collection of familiar spirituals and contemporary religious selections. The only piece that seemed a bit out of place here was Bring Him Home from the musical Les Misérables, although it was very well performed by Williams. Perhaps a few more, less popular works might have been included which, with this high level of skill and experience, would have been equally appreciated.
I encourage all our classically trained musicians to continue expanding their repertoire. Each new work you study and perform brings new technical and musical challenges, ensuring continued growth and development, while enhancing your perspective and understanding of the music canon. There is so much great music to choose from. Classical music began in the middle ages. From the centuries of works composed which have survived the years, the repertoire is vast.
Overall, this was an evening definitely worth venturing out for in the beautiful setting of the Abbey at Mt St Benedict. The level of preparation was admirable with an appealing flow to the performance along with its induced moments of frisson. The next MW Productions event is scheduled for June. They have demonstrated a consistent track record of well-produced concerts worth hearing.
Dr Richard Tang Yuk has taught on the music faculties of Princeton University, Indiana University and the Westminster Conservatory of Music in the USA. He also served as Artistic Director and Conductor of the Princeton Festival in Princeton, New Jersey.
