FP Choir with guest string ensemble: Lidija Peno-Natchev and Oana Lacatus (violins). Alexia Pizziferri (viola), and Chari Peno (bass). Karen Tucker, harpischord/organ (actually Casio keyboard), Kathy Davis (soprano), Pam Kane (alto), Joanna Hawkins Nannestad (alto), Marco Carneiro (tenor), Colin Levin (baritone). Conducted by Joshua Hawkins Nannestad.
The largest and most concerted section of this project was presented on Sunday during worship. We performed much of Part One, creating a distinction between Advent and Christmas texts that is not realized in Handel's three part structure. #1 was played as the prelude to the worship service. Following a brief meditation on "refiner's fire," we started with #2 and went straight through to the bass aria (The People That Walked in Darkness). Then we leapt to #33 (Lift up your heads), a chorus with trio, which served as a fitting conclusion to this portion, and also referenced the hymn of the day (Lift up your heads, O mighty gates). During Communion, the instrumental ensemble played #35 (Let all the angles of God worship Thee) and #41 (Let us break their bonds asunder). Now we've got these difficult choruses covered, just in case the choir doesn't get them by the end of the year!
The sound was rich and full: the presence of the entire choir at one time (save for one alto) was a rarity, plus the men's sections were bulked up with our two guest soloists. The tenor was a former student of mine who is studying vocal performance in conservatory now; what a treat for me as a teacher! The baritone I hired on recommendation, as he is originally from the area and free on this particular date. He displayed excellent technique, tone, and diction.
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