As published in the Australian Jewish News, Yontif edition Thurs 2nd October.
Bravo Bernstein! Sydney Jewish Choral Society. 3pm Sun 14th September 2008
Celebration of Leonard Bernstein’s 90th birthday. [by Andrew Byrne, roving shul goy]
Bernstein was one of the true musical ‘greats’ of the 20th century. Yet, unlike Puccini, Gershwin or The Beatles, he excelled across a vast range of endeavours from poetry to performance to opera and politics. He even wrote ditties for his friends’ pets! While he had a secular education he was never far from his Jewish roots.
This relaxed Sunday afternoon concert was a true variety show, starting with a spirited and rhythmic arrangement of Simchu Na by the entire choir. Next we heard four charming pieces Bernstein dedicated to friend’s dogs! Moriah College brass players included tuba, trumpet, trombone and euphonium. They played solo pieces professionally, concluding with a fanfare ensemble. Next we heard a beautiful rendition of Psalm 23 written by Bernstein for Chichester Cathedral using adult choir and child soprano. To wind up the vocal part of the first half we heard Mr Len Mahemoff sing Yerushalayim with his mellifluous basso voice and fine characterisation.
In the programme’s only departure from Bernstein’s work, we heard the Chandos Ensemble perform three charming string pieces by Velazquez, Gardel (Tango) and Louiguy (La Vie en Rose).
Bernstein’s ‘Candide’ started life in 1956 as a Broadway musical but has since ‘morphed’ into a light opera. Its overture is one of the most inspired and popular orchestral pieces. The soprano’s show-stopper ‘Glitter and be Gay’ was originally sung by Barbara Cook and it may be the only modern successor to Mozart’s ‘Queen of the Night’. We heard many Candide themes in the trio medley ‘Burning with Bernstein’ led by Sarah Butler on bassoon with trumpet and clarinet. We returned to Candide with the full choir performing ‘Life is happiness indeed’, including solos by several members who all sang with accuracy and flair.
The concert concluded with numbers from Bernstein’s famous Broadway Musical ‘Westside Story’ including ‘Maria’ and ending with ‘Somewhere’.
The sell-out crowd gave a great round of applause for all the talented musicians, notably accompanists Shirley Potitzer, Sussanna Lin and Shirley Frumar. The choir was ably conducted by Rose Grausman.
For more information about the Sydney Jewish Choral Society please contact Anne Spira mobile: 0403392878. For details of Bernstein’s birthday events in New York: http://www.carnegiehall.org/bernstein/
Reviewed by Andrew Byrne, Sydney addictions physician.
Opera blog: http://www.redfernclinic.com/opera/critique/blog/
3 months ago
