Surveying our ecletic arts scene, from the galleries to the stage.
HURST -- One might assume from the title of the latest program of Schola Cantorum of Texas, "Love Bade Me Welcome," that it is about romantic love -- especially since Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and colorful butterflies form a heart on the printed cover.
But it becomes clear from the music that it is about Christian love. Not quite what you'd expect, but still lovely.
Schola Cantorum gets around quite a bit; Monday night's program was in Peace Lutheran Church in Hurst, and it will be repeated at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at First United Methodist Church in Plano.
Monday night's group was not much bigger than a chamber ensemble. Eighteen singers were assisted in the first number by five string players and later by organ and piano. Nathan Frank was the conductor; Sojung Park was the organ-piano accompanist.
This modest group was about right for the opener, Schubert's great if understated Mass No. 2 in G. The Mass is peaceful in atmosphere (though the Gloria gives the chorus the opportunity to project powerfully). Stacey Neely's sweet soprano was a prominent asset, and Fred Wilmer's tenor and Robby Ward's bass were able additions.
A rarity, Vaughan Williams' Five Mystical Songs, spotlighted Wes Moore's powerful baritone, with the chorus kept very much in the background until the final song. Although the performance was appealing, the words were hard to make out and there was no printed text for the audience, so the mystical remained a mystery.
Elgar's Ave Verum was a lovely and peaceful high point of the evening. Part of the value of choral programs like this is to introduce the audience to masterpieces that most listeners rarely get to hear.
The remainder of the program consisted of arrangements of religious-themed songs. These included Eliza Gilkyson's Requiem arranged by Craig Hella Johnson (a lovely, moving work), and arrangements by Alice Parker and Robert Shaw -- Hark, I Hear the Harps Eternal, Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child, Amazing Grace and Saints Bound for Heaven.
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