|
MASTER CHORALE OF SOUTH FLORIDA (4-17-05)
SCHUBERT MASS
By Lawrence Budmen
While the lieder and instrumental works of Franz Schubert have become repertoire staples, the composer’s choral works are
seldom performed. Schubert’s Mass No.6 in E-flat Major was an ambitious offering by the Master Chorale of South Florida under
the direction of Jo-Michael Scheibe on April 17 at Trinity Episcopal Cathedral. While the performance was less than perfect,
the broad outlines of this moving score were strongly projected. Scheibe (who is Director of Choral Studies at the UM Frost
School of Music) led a deeply expressive performance and emerged as a choral miracle worker.
Schubert’s Mass No.6 dates from the final year (1828) of the composer’s life. This work reveals the strong influence of
Beethoven on Schubert’s harmonic and fugal invention.
Scheibe conducted a strong performance that captured much of the score’s majesty and inner tension. With over 100 voices the
Master Chorale brought great fervor to their performance. The hushed beauty of the opening Kyrie was beautifully spun out by
Scheibe. The music was shaped with the arching line of a graceful, angelic song. In the opening choral perorations of the
Gloria Scheibe brought a commanding exultation to the music that radiated a true sense of joy. He guided the complex fugal
conclusion (reminiscent of Beethoven’s Misa Solemnis) with masterful aplomb.
The mystery of the opening of the Sanctus was magically evoked by Scheibe who gave full rein to the pensive mood of the Agnus
Dei with its anguished cries and hushed incantation. The final Dona Nobis Pacem was marvelously uplifting.
Of the five vocal soloists only the radiant voiced soprano Jana Young and the solid mezzo Hannah Sharene Penn came close to
doing Schubert’s music justice. In an exposed solo role that requires a first class Mozart tenor Matthew Tresler was hard
pressed to meet the music’s demands in the upper and lower registers. Tenor Kristopher Jean and bass James Bass were often
inaudible.
Apart from some less than secure wind playing, the new Boca Raton Philharmonic Symphonia provided strong support. The
transparent, crisp string sound was particularly impressive. The lower strings (led by violist Michael Klotz of the Amernet
String Quartet and former Florida Philharmonic bassist Janet Clippard) provided a sonorous underpinning to the vocal line.
Scheibe vividly conveyed the drama and joy of Schubert’s choral swan song.
Copyright Miami Herald
|
