The Tougaloo College Concert Choir, December 7, 2008
Three Mendelssohn unaccompanied motets (Op 69) made up the
first part of the program: Nunc Dimittis, Jubilate Deo, and
Magnificat. All were contrapuntal in style, and originally
composed with an English text for the Anglican service. They
received a polished performance. I was not familiar with them, but
enjoyed them very much. It is interesting that last year the
Tougaloo Choir did another work seldom performed (at least in
its entirety) - Bach's Cantata Wachet Auf, BWV140, and I
thank Director Kathy Castilla for bringing to the community the
chance to hear such worthy but not well-known works.
The second part of the program consisted of five unaccompanied
spirituals: Balm in Gilead (Moses Hogan), Ain't Got
Time to Die (Hall Johnson), Come Here Jesus, If You
Please (Roland Carter), I'll Never Turn Back No Mo'
(Hall Johnson), and My Soul's Been Anchored in the Lord
(Moses Hogan). These were varied in style and sung with spirit
and precision. I was especially taken with Moses Hogan's
arrangement of My Soul's Been Anchored... - with its
intricate rhythms, and sung to perfection. The program closed
with a modern gospel piece, Gathered, with Assistant
Director Alona Alexander and accompanied by Michael Peavey
at the piano.
Thanks again to Director Kathy Castilla, the choir and soloists for
another memorable Christmas program. The Tougaloo College
Concert Choir is a versatile and exciting group of singers,
and if you have a chance to hear them, do so. You will not
be disappointed.
- Glenn A. Gentry