(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article In the Bleak Mid-Winter: A Candlelit Feast by Will Kesling) The food was then brought to the tables in numerous dishes by a procession of servitors, every dish containing enough for two people. The gentlemen placed the food in trenches – scooped-out half loaves of bread […]
CJ Replay: Whitacre
(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article Textural Density in the Choral Music of Eric Whitacre by Andrew Larson) Whitacre’s choral works exhibit harmonic flamboyance, crushing dissonance, and striking harmonic relationships abound in his works. Part of his compositional genius lies, however, in the accessibility of his works to listener and singer. Despite […]
CJ Replay: Drama of Messiah
(An excerpt from the Choral Journal article G.F. Handel’s Messiah: Drama Theologicus by Wayne Barrett) Oratorio is musical drama. Good oratorio contains the same elements that make for good drama without music: an engaging protagonist, tension and release, crisis and resolution, vicarious involvement of the audience, colorful figures, strong emotional reactions, etc. Good […]