Music to Our Ears!
"Welche Schmeichler sagen, versuchen Sie, um wahr zu machen." ~ A German Proverb
"What flatterers say, try to make true."
Regarding O Crux, Ave - Music Under the Cross:
Review:
Last Saturday evening [March 5, 2016] at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, local early music group Pro-Arte Saint Louis presented a program of Medieval and Renaissance choral works entitled “O Crux, Ave”. The selections began with a Gregorian chant “Vexilla Regis”, which segued nicely into “O Crux, ave, spes unica” by the Spanish composer Cristóbal de Morales. This is a leap of several years from the Gregorian chant to the 16th century, but was justified in that the text of of the Morales was similar to the chant.
The music of Guillaume Dufay’s “Audi benigne Conditor” followed. It alternates between verses set as chant and verses set in three-part polyphony. The mood set by the text is one of austerity which was matched by the solemn music. Following this was an antiphon, “Ave Regina Caelorum” by John Dunstable, a contemporary of Dufay. The Lamentations by the English composer Osbert Parsley was the next selection on the program. The first half of the evening closed with the well-known Miserere by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri.
The second half began with “O vos omnes” and “Tristis est anima mea”, both by Italian composer Carlo Gesualdo, whose music is strikingly chromatic and emotional, especially in comparison to the relative calm and serenity of the Allegri. The setting was appropriate for the texts, which were about a sorrowful soul. After “Ne irascaris” by William Byrd, the remainder of the program was dedicated to another well-known work: the Stabat Mater of Giovanni Palestrina.
The singing was extraordinary, and was at a high level all evening. Pro-Arte Saint Louis consists of a group of highly trained and educated musicians. The interpretations were authoritative and sensitive to the needs of the music. There were no difficulties encountered by any of the singers this evening. Their assured leader, Dr. Horst Buchholz, is the Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedra Basilica. His direction was clear and the interpretations were stately and well-informed.
Each half of the program was preceded by compositions by Maurice Duruflé with Tim Jansen at the organ. These were the Prelude and Toccata from Duruflé’s Suite, Op. 5. These were fine performances of music which helped prepare the listeners for the program.
There is something quite special about hearing performances of this level in a beautiful setting such as the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. The music on its own, is wonderful, but it seems ever more so in such an appropriate venue. Pro-Arte is truly a magnificent group which any community could be proud to have as part of its music scene. There are not enough opportunities to hear this type of choral music performed at this high level, and we are definitely lucky to have them here in our midst.
- Craig Frutiger, Independent Reviewer, Pianist & Mathematician.
"Michael, thank you so much for making the sublime music last night possible. I so appreciate the total dedication of all the members to keeping alive the tradition and the skills necessary to make it all happen!
Gratias agimus vobis totis!" - James B.
"Congratulations again for a lovely and inspiring concert! Bravo!" - Alaina B.
"I love to be enveloped by this beautiful music! Such a feeling of peace!" - Linda S.
"Nothing short of glorious! Exceptional a capella harmonies, clearly tuned, masterfully expressed textures and texts. Superb dynamic sensitivity. I found myself closing my eyes to hear and feel this ensemble's gift of sacred sound washing over us all. Thank you, Pro-Arte!" - Patricia S.
"It was marvelous!!" - Bob W.
"Breathtaking, Inspirational, Spiritual, Fantastic!" - Kevin R.
"Bravo! Wunderbar!" - Jim R.
"Wow! Wow! Wow!" - Bonnie B.
"Awesome!" - Kathleen D.
Regarding Ave Maria - A 500-Year Chronology of Marian Music:
"This concert was absolutely amazing. It was truly the perfect balance of choral singing and musicianship! I was so excited to hear this caliber of music in St. Louis...Hats off to Dr. Horst Buchholz and the choir for a job well done. I look forward to the next afternoon of amazing singing! It was nice to see the great turnout, as well." - Don M.
"Pure sonic bliss! A+" - Greg M.
"An outstanding performance that should be shared with as many people as possible." - Joseph C.
"Thrilling and technically spectacular! Bravo!" - Alaina B.
BEAUTIFUL concert this afternoon!!!!! So inspiring. - Todd J.
"Wonderful!" - Elizabeth B.
"Such a marvelous journey through 500 years of Marian music. This was such a rare and cherished opportunity to hear this kind of music, especially sung so superbly. Bravo!" - Meredith E.
"Exquisite!!" - Becky D.
"Uplifting, prayerful, meditative and magnificent. Thank you, gifted people!" - Sister M. Paulinus, R.S.M.
"Fabulous! Very talented musicians with a wonderful conductor!! Outstanding harmony! - Clare M.
"Stunning." - Robert S.
"Gorgeous!! Fabulous addition to the St. Louis music scene! Bravi!" - Leslie C.
Review:
Last Saturday evening [March 5, 2016] at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church, local early music group Pro-Arte Saint Louis presented a program of Medieval and Renaissance choral works entitled “O Crux, Ave”. The selections began with a Gregorian chant “Vexilla Regis”, which segued nicely into “O Crux, ave, spes unica” by the Spanish composer Cristóbal de Morales. This is a leap of several years from the Gregorian chant to the 16th century, but was justified in that the text of of the Morales was similar to the chant.
The music of Guillaume Dufay’s “Audi benigne Conditor” followed. It alternates between verses set as chant and verses set in three-part polyphony. The mood set by the text is one of austerity which was matched by the solemn music. Following this was an antiphon, “Ave Regina Caelorum” by John Dunstable, a contemporary of Dufay. The Lamentations by the English composer Osbert Parsley was the next selection on the program. The first half of the evening closed with the well-known Miserere by Italian composer Gregorio Allegri.
The second half began with “O vos omnes” and “Tristis est anima mea”, both by Italian composer Carlo Gesualdo, whose music is strikingly chromatic and emotional, especially in comparison to the relative calm and serenity of the Allegri. The setting was appropriate for the texts, which were about a sorrowful soul. After “Ne irascaris” by William Byrd, the remainder of the program was dedicated to another well-known work: the Stabat Mater of Giovanni Palestrina.
The singing was extraordinary, and was at a high level all evening. Pro-Arte Saint Louis consists of a group of highly trained and educated musicians. The interpretations were authoritative and sensitive to the needs of the music. There were no difficulties encountered by any of the singers this evening. Their assured leader, Dr. Horst Buchholz, is the Director of Sacred Music at the Cathedra Basilica. His direction was clear and the interpretations were stately and well-informed.
Each half of the program was preceded by compositions by Maurice Duruflé with Tim Jansen at the organ. These were the Prelude and Toccata from Duruflé’s Suite, Op. 5. These were fine performances of music which helped prepare the listeners for the program.
There is something quite special about hearing performances of this level in a beautiful setting such as the St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. The music on its own, is wonderful, but it seems ever more so in such an appropriate venue. Pro-Arte is truly a magnificent group which any community could be proud to have as part of its music scene. There are not enough opportunities to hear this type of choral music performed at this high level, and we are definitely lucky to have them here in our midst.
- Craig Frutiger, Independent Reviewer, Pianist & Mathematician.
"Michael, thank you so much for making the sublime music last night possible. I so appreciate the total dedication of all the members to keeping alive the tradition and the skills necessary to make it all happen!
Gratias agimus vobis totis!" - James B.
"Congratulations again for a lovely and inspiring concert! Bravo!" - Alaina B.
"I love to be enveloped by this beautiful music! Such a feeling of peace!" - Linda S.
"Nothing short of glorious! Exceptional a capella harmonies, clearly tuned, masterfully expressed textures and texts. Superb dynamic sensitivity. I found myself closing my eyes to hear and feel this ensemble's gift of sacred sound washing over us all. Thank you, Pro-Arte!" - Patricia S.
"It was marvelous!!" - Bob W.
"Breathtaking, Inspirational, Spiritual, Fantastic!" - Kevin R.
"Bravo! Wunderbar!" - Jim R.
"Wow! Wow! Wow!" - Bonnie B.
"Awesome!" - Kathleen D.
Regarding Ave Maria - A 500-Year Chronology of Marian Music:
"This concert was absolutely amazing. It was truly the perfect balance of choral singing and musicianship! I was so excited to hear this caliber of music in St. Louis...Hats off to Dr. Horst Buchholz and the choir for a job well done. I look forward to the next afternoon of amazing singing! It was nice to see the great turnout, as well." - Don M.
"Pure sonic bliss! A+" - Greg M.
"An outstanding performance that should be shared with as many people as possible." - Joseph C.
"Thrilling and technically spectacular! Bravo!" - Alaina B.
BEAUTIFUL concert this afternoon!!!!! So inspiring. - Todd J.
"Wonderful!" - Elizabeth B.
"Such a marvelous journey through 500 years of Marian music. This was such a rare and cherished opportunity to hear this kind of music, especially sung so superbly. Bravo!" - Meredith E.
"Exquisite!!" - Becky D.
"Uplifting, prayerful, meditative and magnificent. Thank you, gifted people!" - Sister M. Paulinus, R.S.M.
"Fabulous! Very talented musicians with a wonderful conductor!! Outstanding harmony! - Clare M.
"Stunning." - Robert S.
"Gorgeous!! Fabulous addition to the St. Louis music scene! Bravi!" - Leslie C.
