2020 Masterworks Concert

Seiji Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood

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Bruckner, Te Deum

Brahms, Schicksalslied

Brahms, Alto Rhapsody

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Sunday May 24, 2020, 3:00pm

Berkshire Lyric Chorus

Lyric Orchestra

The Lyric Children's Chorus

​with special guests

The Battenkill Chorale

Noah Palmer, artistic director

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vocal soloists

Andrea Bargabos, soprano

Marjorie Dix, alto

Stephen Carroll, tenor

John Demler, bass

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What the Critics Said about Lyric's 2019 Masterworks Concert at Ozawa Hall

In the last of their 12 concert season at Ozawa Hall, Berkshire Lyric Chorus transcended amateur singing levels, delivering an overall evening of well balanced performances equal to the many professional choruses I’ve heard in my lifetime. The second half of their June 8th concert introduced Morton Laurdisen’s ‘’Lux Aeterna’’ in what can only be described as magnificent from beginning to end. Their singing honored the composer’s wish to ‘’get into a certain, deep,  personal space…reflect on the words….almost like a meditational state.’’ It had that effect on me and those close to me. The Schubert  Mass in G that followed was almost anti-climactic, but again the chorus rose to the challenge delivering a nicely phrased performance. The soloists, soprano, Erin Nafziger ; tenor, Brendan Buckley and bass John Demler were very good. The first part of the evening was like a song recital from Scubert’s 600 plus output, first using the Blafield Children’s Chorus in two songs, ‘Die Forelle’ & ‘ Litanel’ , sung with delicacy and pure , pure rounded sweet tones. Next the Tenors and Basses sang ‘Widerspruch’ ; ‘Die Nacht’ which was particularly beautiful in the sensitive way they sang it and Standchen with the lovely Marjorie Dix, mezzo soloist at her very best. The Sopranos and Altos of the Chorus then sang  ‘Coronach’ and the 23rd Psalm. Their balance and their singing were exquisite, every note caressed beautifully with ‘cathedral choirboy’ head tones from the sopranos that long remain in memory. Pianist and accompanist, Noah Palmer, had just the right  touch in the first half of the program. The Lyric Orchestra of 29 players for the Lauridsen and Schubert Mass were positively superb. The whole evening was under the masterful control of their wonderful Artistic Director, Maestro Jack Brown, who is to be congratulated for the high performance level now achieved.

Rex Hearn, Berkshire Record

Rex Hearn founded the Berkshire Opera Company, 1985 to 2008.

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