Classical Concert Reviews Cinci

@uc_ccm’s Concert Orchestra and combined choirs opened their new concert season with a resplendent program titled Beyond the Note featuring two of the most famous unfinished works by Franz Schubert and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Under the direction of principal conductor Aik Khai Pung, the orchestra opened with a strong, delightfully insightful reading of Schubert’s ‘Unfinished’ Symphony, dating from 1822. In an interesting move, maestro Pung drew from four different sources to essentially create his own edition of the piece, yet still maintaining every note Schubert wrote in the two movements he did finish before his death in 1828. Flashes of Beethoven permeated throughout, particularly in the low brass, timpani and strings. The whole performance was executed surprisingly well, although minor details such as tunings in the strings and brass occasionally sounded suspect.
CCM’s Chorale and Chamber Choir then joined the orchestra, along with four star student soloists for one of the most unique performances of Mozart’s Requiem I have yet encountered. Under the direction of Joe Miller, CCM’s director of choral activities, the combined forces used an edition made by the musicologist Franz Beyer between 1971 and 1979 largely based on Mozart’s original manuscript while also maintaining some of the details included in Franz Süssmayr’s edition more frequently heard in concert performances.
The chorus sang with laser-like precision throughout and brought a warm, resonant sound to the more intimate moments such as the Hostias and Lacrimosa.
Soloists Maya Vansch, Stella Fitzgerald, Eric Riedel and Ethan Neal brought wonderful vocal contributions to the performance with a well-rounded, inviting timbre, particularly in the extended Recordare quartet which forms the foundation of the Dies Irae movement.
What a fantastic experience this was, and what a treat to see a packed house in Corbett Auditorium to support such fantastic musicians and enjoy some equally fantastic music. Can’t wait for more from these groups in the near future.