Washington Post Review

In performance: St. Matthew Passion

Web-only review:

Cathedral Choral Society: sublime Passion
by Cecelia Porter
A sublime performance of sublime music does not come along every day. But it did on Sunday at Washington National Cathedral, when J. Reilly Lewis conducted the Cathedral Choral Society and Orchestra, along with the Cathedral Choristers and stellar vocal and instrumental soloists, in J.S. Bach's epic "St. Matthew Passion." A portrayal of the impelling events leading up to the Crucifixion, the "St. Matthew" is a three-hour-long drama of realism as wrought with conflicting emotions as Shakespeare's "Macbeth" or Wagner's "Ring" cycle. The libretto combines scriptural accounts with Bach's personal choice of other texts according to the Lutheran tradition of his day.
(read more after the jump)
Bach demands impossibly Olympic standards of performers, such as assigning wind players extended melodic lines and singers never-ending solo passages on just one syllable -- without time to breathe. But in Sunday's performance, everyone met the technical challenges with seeming ease. Chorus and soloists also rendered Bach's text with German consonants and vowels unblemished by English pronunciation, intensifying the cutting edge of a story pitting violence and guilt against compassion.
Lewis's every motion drew from his forces the tumultuous scenario of individual remorse, screaming multitudes, even the thunder and lightning of nature's fury. As the Evangelist, Rufus Müller narrated the shattering story with both overwhelming vocal magnitude and telling physical bearing. Likewise, the other soloists coupled vocal excellence with dramatic gestures. Portraying their roles with deep conviction were soloists Christòpheren Nomura, Gillian Keith, Clare Wilkinson, Alan Bennett and Craig Phillips.
As Sunday's performance ended, the audience delayed applause for a few moments. That told it all.
-- Cecelia Porter
By Anne Midgette  |  February 23, 2010; 5:00 AM ET

Bach's St. Matthew Passion Concert Weekend

ST. MATTHEW PASSION (BWV 244)

Johann Sebastian Bach

Sunday, February 21, 2010 at 4 pm

Tickets starting at $20

BUY TICKETS HERE

 

Profoundly religious yet intimate in its expression of
human feeling, the  St. Matthew Passion tells of the days
leading to the Crucifixion as the music arcs from the exultant
to the tragic, sweeping the listener into the drama.

Cathedral Choral Society

J. Reilly Lewis, conductor

Rufus Müller, Evangelist

Christòpheren Nomura, Christus

Gillian Keith, soprano

Clare Wilkinson, mezzo-soprano

Alan Bennett, tenor

Craig Phillips, bass-baritone

Washington National Cathedral Choristers

Michael McCarthy, music director

Join us at 2:30 pm for a free pre-concert discussion in Perry Auditorium (7th Floor of the Cathedral) with Michael McCarthy, Director of Music at Washington National Cathedral.

Katherine of Tarragon Announces Retirement

Ernest Hemingway once said, "What greater gift than the love of a cat?"

Anyone who ever entered the Cathedral's greenhouse and library has experienced such love. A memorable, American Short-hair named Katherine of Tarragon has graced the lives of visitors and staff on the close for over 15 years, and at this time, announces her retirement. 

Ms. Tarragon was only a kitten when she began her work as an entry-level mouse catcher in the Cathedral Greenhouse 15 years ago. It is there, where she spent most of her career until the closing of the Greenhouse in 2008. During which time, Ms. Tarragon inspired a retail product line at the Cathedral's Museum Shop where Katherine cards can be found. She spent the remainder of her professional career in the Cathedral Library, helping CCS and Cathedral records staff with daily office activities such as chasing strings across the floor, sleeping on the outgoing mail, and basking on the warm floor in front of the copy machine. Ms. Tarragon spent most mornings outside the front door of the library greeting everyone from staff and bike messengers, to visiting dignitaries.


As her primary care taker, Tom Wright describes, "Katherine is a robust 15.5 years old." She has developed some non-threatening, age-related health issues, and following the advice of her primary feline care provider has decided to retire. Ms. Tarragon will live out her days in a posh townhome in Georgetown, with daily and loving attention - and a new feline friend!


Katherine is, and will continue to be, a part of many lives. She is a reminder that even amidst the most trying of times, we can all find a common thread in the happiness - of that which occurs in nature - can bring.

2010 Choral Space Odyssey

It is difficult to talk about the end of 2009 when our season is only at the halfway mark. The 2009-2010 season has been a series of amazing events and celebrations, and we are ready and raring for 2010. This season, we have created a wonderful new group called the "CCS Ensemble Singers." The group is comprised of a rotating handful of regular CCS members that are available for local events and parties. They have performed at our fall retail fund raising events, the New Zealand Embassy, and in December, received the ultimate invitation: To provide holiday music at The White House.

This was a wonderful honor for the singers representing CCS and was hugely successful. Their artistic interpretation of holiday favorites entertained the likes of Al Roker, Andrea Mitchell, Bill O'Reilly and Wolf Blitzer. The singers were led by chorus master, Todd Fickley, and following the performance, were all introduced to the President of the United States and the First Lady.


We on the CCS staff are so proud of all the singers who participate in the "Ensemble Singers," for representing entire chorus so beautifully.

There are several exciting things in store for this season including more Young Professionals events, a "Twitter Balcony," and our final concert, Reilly & Friends: A Celebration of Twenty-Five Years - a concert sure to be a treat you will not want to miss.

Happy New Year!

The Joy of Christmas Concert Weekend

THE JOY OF CHRISTMAS

Saturday, December 12, 2009 at noon*

Saturday, December 12, 2009 at 4 pm

Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 4 pm

BUY TICKETS HERE

Featuring the The Heritage Signature Chorale and the world premiere of a Christmas carol by the renowned American composer Lee Hoiby. A perennial holiday favorite from the opening procession accompanied by the Great Organ to the Cathedral carillon and the beloved carols old and new, this festive concert has long been a Washington family tradition and is often sold out.

*Again this year, we offer a special family matinee on Saturday, December 12 at noon. Bring the whole family for this hour-long presentation of the Joy of Christmas specially designed for our younger fans. Seating is by general admission.

Cathedral Choral Society, J. Reilly Lewis, conductor

The Heritage Signature Chorale, Stanley J. Thurston, music director

Scott Dettra, organ

Edward Nassor, carillon

Washington Symphonic Brass

Treble Choir of Northern Middle School, Nicholas Petersen, music director

Tickets starting at $20
Click here for Prelude - CCS study guide

Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash!

CCS participated in the Lord & Taylor Benefit Bash on Tuesday, November 19th at the Washington location on Western Avenue in Northwest. As you may have read, we have been selling tickets to this event since October. With our singers, staff and friends rallying, we raised thousands of dollars for CCS! Representatives from over 30 local non-profit organizations sold tickets at the door in support of each other.CCS singers performed a few pieces in the evening and met with shoppers.  The event was a huge success, and raised awareness and money for several worthy causes. A $1,000 dollar bonus will be awarded to the top pre-sale ticket seller, so stay tuned!

In the mean time, here are a few photos from the event!

 

NEA to Receive $12.5 Million Budget Increase

Yesterday, the House and Senate each approved $12.5 million increases for the National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities. The FY 2010 Interior Appropriations Bill sets budgets for the two federal grant-making cultural agencies at $167.5 million each. President Obama will sign the bill into law by October 31. With the President's signature, the NEA will be funded at its highest level in 16 years. “For nearly 45 years the National Endowment for the Arts has awarded grants to support a network of 5,000 local, state, and regional arts agencies that serve as the infrastructure of support for the arts and arts education in America,” said Robert L. Lynch, president and CEO of Americans for the Arts. “This important budget increase recognizes the essential role the arts play in our lives, schools, and communities. This funding boost also serves as a warm welcome to the new NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman as he kicks off his nationwide ‘Art Works’ tour next week.” Read his full statement in the press room. For more information about this important legislation and to contact your member of Congress, visit the Online Arts Action Center. source: Americans for the Arts www.artsusa.org