By Priscilla McLean, Special to the Times Union
Albany Pro Musica and Pro Musica Symphonic Orchestra rocked the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Saturday in a tour de force concert, ending its 30th season and celebrating the new renovations at the Cathedral. David Griggs-Janower, conductor, programmed works that symbiotically fit in the echoey and very spacious hall, adding majesty and a sense of wonder.
Two selections of Randall Thompson began the program, and for this the group was enhanced by the Albany High School select chorus, plus fifteen apprentices from twelve high schools. Involving the local community is a hallmark of Albany Pro Musica.
Next came Gloria by Francis Poulenc in six parts, each one having a different style, somewhat reminiscent of Stravinsky or Ravel. Two of these parts featured soloist Carla Fisk, an operatic soprano with lovely ringing tone— a nice contrast to the mellow choral sound.
The star of the show was the Sequence in Hector Berlioz’s Requiem. This piece involved 128 singers, the Pro Musica Symphonic Orchestra, five timpani players, and four sets of trumpets and trombones flanking the hall. During the Dies Irae, which began the set, and with the chorus and orchestra in full voice, Griggs-Janower turned to the audience and seemed to be conducting them. After a few seconds, the hall exploded with the brass on the sides, joined shortly by the timpani. With all forces in full thrall, it felt like the whole massive cathedral had been ripped off its foundations and was ascending into the air.
The chorus maintained perfect pitch throughout, and sang with soaring, powerful voices. Unfortunately, the acoustics swallowed up the orchestral high strings, while it enhanced the sopranos and lower voices and instruments.
The last section, Lacrymosa, is especially dramatic, and influenced Giuseppe Verdi when he wrote his Requiem, performed earlier this year by the Albany Pro Musica. Shards of single notes played by the trombones and trumpets cut through the choral sound like knives at times. This whole section was a soulful pleading, growing more intense, until again the side brass blared and chorus and orchestra climaxed in a wrenching Last Judgment that became operatic. The audience exploded in appreciation of a wonderful performance by all.
Priscilla McLean is a freelance writer and composer/performer.
Albany Pro Musica
When: 8 p.m. Saturday
Where: Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, Albany, NY
Length: One hundred minutes, one intermission
The Crowd: full (seats 1000-1100), super-quiet rapt audience,