Concert Review: Symphony's seasonal spirit finds a 'Home'
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra's "Home for the Holidays" pops concert served admirably to set the mood for the season.
Saturday night's performance at the Cannon Center for the Performing Arts nicely mixed religious, secular and cultural inspirations that were well received in the packed auditorium.
Alastair Willis
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There are some holiday tunes that have been irreparably damaged by years of overexposure and cheesy arrangements. Most of these -- like the stale tales of Rudolph and Frosty -- were, thankfully, rushed through in a sing-along portion of the program.
But oh, the good stuff was splendid indeed.
Best of show was "A Musicological Journey Through the Twelve Days of Christmas," a witty and original take on the repetitive favorite. Each of the 12 presents that "my true love gave to me" was presented in a different musical style, chronologically from Gregorian Chant to Sousa.
It was engaging and fresh, allowing the MSO as well as the Memphis Symphony Chorus and University of Memphis University Singers to sparkle.
Another high point of the evening -- several high points actually -- was the guest vocalist, soprano Lisa Vroman. Her exquisite, shimmering voice did justice to "Rejoice Greatly" from Handel's "Messiah." She also sang a range of other tunes, from "Go Tell It On the Mountain" to "O Holy Night," with beauty and grace.
Also notable was the chorus/singers led by Dr. Lawrence Edwards in the quietly glorious "O Magnum Mysterium" by American composer Morten Lauridsen.
The program was conducted by Alastair Willis, making his second appearance with the MSO as one of the candidates to replace retiring music director David Loebel.
Willis brought an appropriately light sensibility to the holiday program, having fun with the performers and serving up plenty of winks and nods to the audience.
Comments » 2
wlknmphs writes:
Who was the choir that performed in the lobby prior to the Home for the Holiday's Concert?
wlknmphs writes:
What is the name of the choir that performed in the lobby prior to the Home for the Holiday's Concert?
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