Choral Guild’s opening program full of life, hope
There’s nothing more rewarding than folk songs. Songs of the people, songs from the heart. Songs about feelings. Comfort music. Music of hope and promise.
Such music also served as the theme of the Williamsburg Choral Guild’s first program of its 44th season, “The Promise of Living.“ Given the politics of our time and world disruption, spending a hour with Brian Issac and the Guild in the Williamsburg Methodist Church was just the thing to sooth souls.
Twelve international folk songs effectively illustrated the universal expression of things related to relations, to togetherness, to humanity. A worthy example of the world-wide connection we share through music.
The affable and talented artistic director, Brian Issac, nicely narrated the program, offering thoughts about the works sung and his pride in the Guild. Under his clear and concise hand, certainly this program was one of which the Guild should have been proud. It was the kind of literature in which the Guild excels. Flashy phrases and the like aren’t all the time necessary for selling songs. Songs with sincere lyrics and rich, inviting harmonies, likewise, do that quite well. Here, the Guild’s voices beautifully blended into a solid, flowing sound that was balanced and lent sweetness and sincerity to the lyrics.
Particularly notable was the detail in using a form of word painting for moments of impact, as when, for example, the sopranos and altos sang the “seas were rough,” emphasizing the sea’s condition or when, in “Danny Boy,” the word “hush’d” took on increased visualization of a “valley … white with snow.” Very nice, very effective.
The fare opened with a high spirited and lively “Will the Circle Be Unbroken,” a well known Appalachian folk song, which was followed by a somewhat melancholic Scottish song, “The Parting Glass.” Quickly following came the gentle and flowing African-American spiritual “Deep River” and two Chinese folk songs, sung in Mandarin.
“Homeward Bound” and the always captivating “Shenandoah” brought sentiment, as did Canadian James Gordon’s sad and wistful “Frobisher Bay,” done with haunting accompaniment by Seaman on the hammered dulcimer. Composer Bob Chilcott took the generally unadorned lines of the Shaker “Gift to be Simple” folk song and arranged them into an intricate and appealing setting with a slight bit of syncopation.
“Danny Boy” was given a most tender rendering by the Guild, as they ever-so-sensitively delivered the Irish song’s touching lyrics. This arrangement was by the late Joseph Flummerfelt, whose work I first encountered years ago when he was the choral director of the Spoleto Festival in Charleston. His stunning choral presentations with the Westminster Choir were always sold out Festival favorites.
Aaron Copland, foremost champion of American music, composed “The Tender Land,” from which “The Promise of Living” is the best known part. Its splendid, layered lyrical lines and sentiments urge thanksgiving for blessings, for peace in our hearts, and sharing and loving. It’s powerful and mighty moving, as was this performance.
The program closed with a rousing, spiritual take on “Amazing Grace,” as arranged by Keith McCutchen, African-American director of Kentucky State University Concert Choir and Choral Activities. Rhythmic and rocking, the Guild’s singing was full voiced and fully energized. A brief reprise was granted the enthusiastic applause.
Karen Areheart Ives and Max Holman teamed up on the keyboard and delivered supportive piano accompaniment that added to the pleasures heard by the packed pew facility. Unquestionably, this “Promise of Living” program was a winner.
Shulson, a Williamsburg resident, has been covering the arts for over 40 years. He makes a guest appearance in Margaret Truman’s “Murder at the Opera.”