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In the News and On the Air: Printed Articles & Reviews; Radio & Television; |
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Choral music majestically presented By Susan Elliott - For the Journal-Constitution CONCERT REVIEW There was much joyful noise in the city of Roswell Friday night, inclusive of timpani rolls, brass fanfares, wall-shaking pipe-organ blasts and 160 adult voices in full-throttled, impassioned joyful cry. In a program aptly titled "Choral Majesty: Music for Regal Occasions," the Michael O'Neal Singers offered their own contribution to the 2002 Golden Jubilee anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's coronation. The 75 minutes of repertoire specific to regal pomp and circumstance was performed in the acoustically broad sanctuary of Roswell United Methodist Church. Featuring sturdy standbys such as Handel's "Royal Fireworks Music," as well as Princess Di's favorite hymn, Gustav Holst's "I Vow to Thee, My Country," the evening offered primarily 20th century British choral music, most of it bold, tonal and, by design, innocent of depth. Michael O'Neal, the founder and music director of this 12-year-old ensemble, chose well for his audience and mostly amateur chorus. None of these works was particularly challenging to sing, yet all received highly polished, committed performances. The joy of singing was everywhere apparent on the faces of the Singers, who ranged in age from 20s to 70s. "O Taste and See," composed by Ralph Vaughan Williams for Elizabeth II's coronation, received a well-tuned and beautifully phrased reading, showcasing some ringing high notes. Soprano Karen Lupton stepped out to offer a clear-voiced solo that was wonderfully free of affectation. The stately, reverential melody of "I Vow to Thee . . ." was also neatly essayed, its unisonant delivery demonstrative of an impressive evenness of sound in the chorus. ©2002 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Reprinted with permission from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Further reproduction, retransmission or distribution of these materials without the prior written consent of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and any copyright holder identified in the material's copyright notice, is prohibited. Click below for |
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