Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@uc_ccm opened its fall semester of choral performances with a truly spectacular and spellbinding reading of one of the hallmarks of all sacred music, Johann Sebastian Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. First performed on Good Friday in 1727, it sets the 26th and 27th chapters of the Gospel of Luke much in the manner Bach would have written a cantata, except on a much larger scale, with two choruses and orchestras, a children’s’ or boys’ choir, 6 principal soloists and a multitude of smaller solo lines for other biblical figures.
The CCM Philharmonia, Chamber Choir, Chorale and Bel Canto of the Cincinnati Youth Choir, under the insightful and emotional leadership of Joe Miller, were among the best groups to tackle this masterpiece.
The choirs throughout were incredibly expressive, with remarkable pathos and purity of tone in the more intimate chorale settings, marched with a searing power in their role as the crowd wanting Jesus to be crucified. With regards to timbre, they were superb, equal to the May Festival Chorus and Vocal Arts Ensemble.
Soprano Maren Hrivnak’s solo turns possessed a light, controlled, and crystalline voice, perfect for performing any piece of Baroque vocal music. Alto Jaeyoon Choi sang with a more wistful, almost soothing quality, especially in the well-known aria ‘Erbarmre dich’, even if her lower register was often overpowered by the orchestra. Tenor Alex Gushrowski’s voice was strong and captivating, if a bit strong in his higher registers, which gave a slight hint of vocal strain. Baritone Emilio Vasquez possessed impeccable artistry, with a supple, warm and effervescent tone which captured the emotional turmoil his arias sought to evoke.
Tenor Daniel Weeks as the Evangelist was a masterful storyteller, perfectly balanced by the inciting, yet somewhat dry acoustics of Corbett Auditorium. Bass Kenneth Shaw as Jesus was commanding, yet eloquent, with a voice that occasionally felt closer to a Verdi king rather than a Biblical figure; it was thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless.
I am definitely looking forward to seeing more of what the CCM choruses will perform over the rest of this year, as they are a musical treasure in the Queen City.