Robert Knupp and the Copiah-Lincoln Community College Choir,
directed by Brad Johnson, at Northminster Baptist Church,
November 16, 2006.
This 20th Annual Choral-Organ Festival of the Jackson Chapter
of the American Guild of Organists began with the choir singing
Amazing Grace, using the Sacred Harp tune Land of Rest.
It was here at the very beginning that the polished nature of this
choir became evident. They sang the hymn a capella, first
the melody only, and then as a round. The blend was such that it
was as if a single mellow voice sang the melody, and then four single
solo voices (the four parts) sang the round. As this is a two year
school, about half the singers were freshmen and had been singing
with the choir only since August. Remarkable! Next was Lloyd Pfautsch's
arrangement of the hymn Praise to the Lord (Lobe den
Herren), with the choir's accompanist Steve Russell at the organ.
There were a capella sections interspersed with organ, often
melodic passages on reed stops. Accompanied choral works can be tricky
when there are extended a capella passages, because if the
choir is off pitch when the accompaniment reenters, it can be obvious.
But that did not happen here - the choir was on pitch in every case.
Then the choir sang Morricone's emotional Nella Fantasia (In
My Fantasy), from the movie The Mission. David Giardiniere's
arrangement of The God of Abraham Praise, followed, again with
a substantial organ accompaniment. This part closed with Joseph
Martin's lively A Call to Joyful Praise with piano accompaniment.
This was sung effectively by The Ambassadors, a smaller grouping
(7 men and 7 women), directed by Denise Riley.
The second part featured organist Robert Knupp, and opened with the
hymn O Day of Peace, sung by choir and audience. The tune,
Parry's Jerusalem, was featured in the movie Chariots of
Fire. Next was Dupre's Cortege et Litanie, with the quiet
Cortege followed by the increasingly intense Litanie.
An effective transcription (by Wilbur Held) of Wagner's The
Pilgrims' Chorus followed, and then in contrast J.S. Bach's
Sonata III in d Minor, BWV 527. The Andante was given a light
registration, with the pedal line emphasizing 16' pitch. The Adagio
e dolce was unusually lyrical and pleasing. The Vivace
was, as the name indicates, lively, with lots of ornamentation, and
articulation appropriate to the room. Knupp then read a passage from
Job, and played Petr Eben's work Longing for Death, based
on that passage. Painful words and painful music, but worthy of hearing.
Widor's famous Toccata from his 5th organ symphony followed, at
an exciting tempo, which Knupp kept up to the very end. This piece
often flags a bit as the end approaches, but not tonight!
The choir closed with Rutter's lyrical I Will Sing With the
Spirit, followed imperceptibly closely by Martin Shaw's Christ's
Flock, and then Shaw's With A Voice of Singing, directed by
Denise Riley, a fitting and vigorous close.
I thank Brad Johnson, Denise Riley, the choir, Steve Russell,
and Robert Knupp for a delightful musical evening.
- Glenn A. Gentry