BACH'S MASS A BRILLIANT SUCCESS IN BELVEDERE

American Bach Soloists, based in Belvedere, performed J.S. Bach’s Mass in B Minor January 16 to a full house in St. Stephen’s Church. Known for its colossal dimensions and encyclopedic stylistic variety, the great Mass intersperses compelling choral sections with vocal solos highlighted by beautiful and engaging instrumental accompaniment. The use of period instruments, including strings, oboes, natural horn (corno da caccia), natural trumpets, flutes, bassoons, tympani and chamber organ ensured a faithful display of the riches of the original work, developed in part from Bach’s own earlier compositions in the genre. Unfortunately, he never heard the Mass performed during his lifetime, but 36 years after his death his son C.P.E. Bach conducted parts of it in 1786.

The choir was relatively small, 22 singers, so that the impeccable quality of the ABS’ voices stood out. Sopranos Ellen Hargis and Abigail Haynes Lennox, alto Judith Malafronte, tenor Derek Chester and baritone Joshua Copeland were the principals, adding their highly-polished voices to the choir which sang from behind the orchestra. At times it was difficult to hear the soloists, positioned as they were, but it was unavoidable in St. Stephens space. In this church with its formidable grey concrete walls it’s preferable to sit as close to the performers as possible.

Early in his increasingly distinguished career, Jeffrey Thomas was a superb tenor soloist, but now focuses on conducting, and this evening he called forth deeply moving performances from the large forces. The great opening Kyrie, with paired oboes d’amore, was magnificent. In the Gloria, first violinist Katherine Kyme demonstrated her expertise with brilliant ornamentation complimenting soprano Ellen Hargis’s part, while baritone Copeland, working flawlessly with the corno da caccia and bassoons, offered an inspired “Quoniam Tu Solus Sanctus”. This was followed by a rousing fortissimo choral vivace “Cum Sancto spiritu”, showing the great flexibility of the choral singers. The clarity and precision of the chorus is probably unrivaled in our area, and perhaps in a much larger territory.

This chorus sang as one, the gifted soloists combining with the rich colors of the period instruments to create a memorable evening’s sonic experience. An informative pre-concert lecture on the work offered fresh insights to the more curious attendees, enhancing the magic of Bach’s masterful composition.