2008 Woodie Awards
Hometown Harmony
Nick Kepley
Issue date: 1/23/06 Section: Culture
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The strength of the ensemble's basses came through in "The Passionate Shepherd to His Love" by Jean Belmont, in which the vocals blended seamlessly to create the feeling that one was listening to instruments, not human beings.
The first of two world premieres in the program was "Soliloquy" by Paul Rudy. Rudy explained his work was inspired by his trip to the desert and journeys in life. The singers "whooshed" and intonated with clarity and precision, but the work failed to convey the feeling of being in the desert. The lofty chords seemed out of place when interspersed with tongue clicks and whistles.
The second world premiere, "Three New Motets" by Pulitzer Prize-winner Steven Stucky, was equally disappointing. Stucky explained that setting the work in Latin sacred text allowed the audience to appreciate the sounds regardless of their religious beliefs. The work started and ended very slowly and was revived only for a short time with the second motet.
The final work of the evening consisted of three Chinese folk songs arranged by Chen Yi. Bruffy brought in a dialect specialist to work with the singers on the three distinct dialects used in the work. The work paid off; through Chen's delightful arrangements the ensemble transported the audience to faraway Asia.
The Kansas City Chorale certainly proved one of the city's hidden treasures. Under Bruffy's astute direction, the ensemble will no doubt continue to present works that push the boundaries of contemporary choral music.
nkepley@unews.com
The first of two world premieres in the program was "Soliloquy" by Paul Rudy. Rudy explained his work was inspired by his trip to the desert and journeys in life. The singers "whooshed" and intonated with clarity and precision, but the work failed to convey the feeling of being in the desert. The lofty chords seemed out of place when interspersed with tongue clicks and whistles.
The second world premiere, "Three New Motets" by Pulitzer Prize-winner Steven Stucky, was equally disappointing. Stucky explained that setting the work in Latin sacred text allowed the audience to appreciate the sounds regardless of their religious beliefs. The work started and ended very slowly and was revived only for a short time with the second motet.
The final work of the evening consisted of three Chinese folk songs arranged by Chen Yi. Bruffy brought in a dialect specialist to work with the singers on the three distinct dialects used in the work. The work paid off; through Chen's delightful arrangements the ensemble transported the audience to faraway Asia.
The Kansas City Chorale certainly proved one of the city's hidden treasures. Under Bruffy's astute direction, the ensemble will no doubt continue to present works that push the boundaries of contemporary choral music.
nkepley@unews.com
