Gloria, Gloria, Hallelujah, Bowl Fireworks Sparkle at Classical series
Grant Gershon is celebrating his 10th year with the Los Angeles Master Chorale as its conductor.
REVIEW
Deborah Borda, President of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, gave a heartwarming tribute to recently deceased Ernest Fleischmann who served as Executive Director of the LA Phil organization from 1969-1997 after which the Los Angeles Master Chorale, the performing group for the opening of the Classical series at the Hollywood Bowl, performed “Lacrymosa” from Mozart’s “Requiem”. The Classical series is presented each Tuesday and Thursday throughout the Bowl summer season.
But what was noteworthy both from the tribute and the evening’s activities was the innovation of fireworks instituted by Fleischmann at the Bowl to great acclaim. Now, it would seem, that tradition has gotten out of hand as this program of solemn sacred music concluded with a Bang! Bang! Bang! punctuation of the “Hallelujah” Chorus from Handel’s “Messiah” during the L A Master Chorale’s wonderful singing of the words, “King of Kings…”, etc, red, white and blue sparklers spitting into the cold and humid night air, bombs bursting in air, as it were. It was laughable.
Still, the program that preceded this spectacle had moments of purity as the Chorale launched into Haydn’s “Te Deum” with over 100 singers and an orchestra staffed by Los Angeles Philharmonic principal players and others all led by Grant Gershon, the Master Chorale’s excellent conductor who is this year celebrating his 10th year of service with them.
Vivaldi’s popular “Gloria” followed with sopranos Jessica Rivera and Christine Brandes and Kelley O’Connor as soloists and a pared down Chorale of maybe 30 singers. Rivera’s stupendously clear soprano voice here (and in the Poulenc “Gloria” which followed) was remarkable. Gershon asked how many had sung the Vivaldi “Gloria”—hands among the audience shot up showing that this piece is often performed, though presumably not at the professional level of the L A Master Chorale and these soloists and orchestra. The 11 part mass is serious business though Vivaldi wrote in a bright style. Gershon’s Chorale kept it muted.
Francis Poulenc’s 1961 “Gloria” though consistent with the older forms as to content, delved into the past for inspiration but came up with a harmonically contrasting work that is both fiery and modern. Under Gershon, orchestra and chorale plus Jessica Rivera’s wonderful voice, came alive with true sacred passion.
That left the evening with the gaudy firework “spectacular” for a smoky conclusion to an otherwise religious-based evening of sacred music.
Classical Tuesdays and Thursdays continue throughout the season at the Hollywood Bowl with substantial programs and artists. Check out www.hollywoodbowl.com for details.
By Bill Peters
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