A classical view (April 18, 2009)

Here are some of the latest reviews from the CVNC.org or the Classical Voice of North Carolina, a nonprofit, online performing arts journal:

1960 – While this play deals with Raleigh, North Carolina and it is a personal story for not only the audience but many of the actors, the events depicted can apply to thousands of communities in the United States during the 1950s, 60s, 70s and, sadly, even beyond. Full review

North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir – Meredith College's Jones Chapel hosted the North Carolina Master Chorale Chamber Choir, with chamber orchestra, in two contemporary works about as theologically dissonant as they were musically consonant. Full review

Andras Schiff – Once Schiff started to play, he revealed an artist with an amazing level of technical control. You could hear that each dynamic, each sound, each crescendo or decrescendo had been carefully considered, and that Schiff’s fingers and arms were doing exactly what he wanted. Full review

Israel in Egypt – Unlike Messiah and other Handel oratorios, Israel in Egypt features relatively few solos and recitatives, instead relying on the power of choral singing, including several sections of double chorus. Who better to handle this Handel (forgive the bad pun) than Rodney Wynkoop, directing the Duke Chapel Choir, Duke Chorale, and orchestra at Duke Chapel? Full review