Composer Kim André Arnesen

ARNESEN PREMIERE AT ETHEREAL CANTIAMO SONOMA ADVENT CONCERT

Cantiamo Sonoma, conducted by Carol Menke, gave yet another superb concert Dec. 1 at St. Seraphim’s Russian Orthodox Cathedral. Both the Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 (reviewed here) concerts were sold out, and the magic of the church was intensified as the lights lowered, and the candle-bearing choir processed in, singing “O Come O Come Emanuel”.

They deposited their candles at the front and commenced a dreamy program of richly evocative musical ruminations on the birth of Christ. The lights remained very low and the singers all had individual score lights to read by. The program was a varied collection of fourteen numbers divided into four sets, with Ms. Menke giving brief introductions in between.

Cantiamo’s vocal abilities and Ms. Menke’s musical wizardry were in full force as they spun out their now-expected gorgeous phrasing and exquisite sound through a marvelous mixed bag of Renaissance and contemporary sacred music focused on the mystery and wonder of Advent and Christmas. Ms. Menke always succeeds in making sense of musical mysteries, whether divine or earthly. Her conducting style is one of communicating with the singers in a way that is direct, intuitive, and minimal, almost telepathic. And this appeared to be the theme of the concert: the ineffable mystery, not just of the Christmas story, but also of music itself.

They opened the first set with Praetorious’ immortal and beautiful mood-setting “Es ist ein Rose entsprungen,” followed by Palestrina’s rousing and joyful “O Magnum Mysterium”. Next was Thomas Ravenscroft’s simple setting of “Remember, O Thou Man”, with Derrick Podlewski performing impressively as the countertenor soloist. Completing the set was a lovely arrangement of “It Came Upon the Midnight Clear” by American composer Valerie Capers, with Drew Bolander’s sweet and appealing solo tenor.

The next set contained three adventurous and less familiar pieces: the powerful and thrilling “Bogoroditse Djevo” by Arvo Pärt, on a Slavonic text from the orthodox book of prayers. This was followed by John Tavener’s lyrical “Mother of God, Here I Stand”, and Poulenc’s dramatic “Salve Regina” from 1941.

The third set featured two works by the evening’s featured special composer, the Norwegian Kim André Arnesen, who was commissioned by Cantiamo Sonoma to write a piece for this concert. First heard in the set was another piece by Arnesen, his much-loved and often performed “Dormi, Jesu”, a lullaby of ethereal beauty that featured the angelic voice of soprano Emily Sylvestre. Next came a lovely reading of “A Tender Shoot” by British composer Kerensa Briggs, a fine example of contemporary Anglican choral style. Closing the set was the main work of the evening, Mr. Arnesen’s commissioned piece “O Mysterium Ineffabile!” in its world premiere. His arching, disciplined, light-filled piece is effectively constructed, with emotional harmonies and big climactic moments. It proved to be ideally suited to this group and the piece will certainly take a prominent place in the choral repertoire library.

The final group consisted of Bob Chilcott’s “The Shepherd’s Carol”, “Sweet Little Jesus Boy” arranged by Larry Nickel, with lovely solo work by mezzo-soprano Liesel Hall, and “Jesus Christ the Apple Tree” by Elizabeth Poston. To close the concert Cantiamo returned us to the 16th century for Sweelinck’s thrilling “Hodie Christus natus est”.

As an encore, the choir sang one verse of “Silent Night”. It was a lovely welcome to the Advent season and the perfect ending to an inspiring concert.