[LJ2ME] October Fest 6 of 12: SSO Mozart Requiem
In the last few minutes of the Mozart Requiem, as the Communion drew to its exhilarating close, I had a near seizure, overcome by a sudden inexplicable sense of dread and discomfort. Perhaps it was a prophetic premonition of my impending end or maybe it was just simply the overwhelming experience of the work. Under the baton of Rolf Beck and his Schlerwig-Holstein Festival Choir, this reading of this choral classic was a welcome refresher. The warmth and immediacy of the confines of the august Victoria Concert Hall served to provide the choir with a reciprocal and conducive acoustic platform, the tonal gradients and sound colours distinct and fused at once. The quartet of soloists was a dream partnership, each feeding off the strength of the others to give of an impassioned reading. So much for Verdi's work, this one speaks to the heart and mind without the histrionics. Schubert's Unfinished Symphony was beautifully crafted, with the clarinet and oboe themes singing out above the mummuring strings. The tranquil setting promptly effected its narcotic allure and had me straining to stay awake. Sorry, couldn't help myself.