Holiday treasures at MBT
WSO flourishes surprises
by Kathryn Murray
The Whatcom Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Treasures concert at the Mount Baker Theatre Sunday, December 6th, surely brought surprises as promised. Members of Western Washington University’s Concert Choir, directed by Leslie Guelker-Cone, slowly promenaded down the aisles with illuminated candles to a stirring rendition of The Boar’s Head Carol in Latin and English.
Artistic Director Roger Briggs conducted the orchestra in two dreamy Ralph Vaughn Williams selections, Wassail Song and a Fantasia on Greensleeves arranged by Greaves. All donning Santa hats, Jacob Scherr, guest conductor, and the symphony skillfully performed three popular traditional Christmas tunes: Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, The Christmas Song and White Christmas, which enthralled the packed theatre and set some to humming. The lighting design on stage and in the house added another dimension to the holiday concert. Beautiful reds, greens and blues lit the musicians and audience fairly undulated with the beat under Scherr’s direction.
A delightful dance interlude from Northwest Ballet with company members Amber Johnson, Jordan Assink and Marley Keel was one of the surprises of the concert. Splendidly choreographed selections from Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite fully captured the essence and mood of his dances. One wonders how they had enough room to dance on stage alongside 75 orchestra members and 43 choir members.
Conrad Susa’s A Christmas Garland conducted by Guelker-Cone and performed beautifully by the WWU Concert Choir and the Whatcom Symphony orchestra added a fresh sound to a potpourri of traditional Christmas songs. The new arrangements and intricate rhythms (particularly We Three Kings in 7/8) by Susa are challenging, but the musicians pulled it off magnificently. This work featured not only the choir and orchestra, but the audience had a part as well. Scripted lyrics in the program allowed the audience to sing along with the musicians. A rousing Joy to the World rounded out the first half of the concert.
Photo courtesy Whatcom Symphony Orchestra.
Opening the second half of the concert, Maestro Briggs conducted the WSO in Dona Nobis Pacem, another Ralph Vaughn Williams selection. The Cantata featured talented soloists, soprano Annie Kruger, baritone James Reynolds, and baritone Colin Ward. Although the piece was stirring, moving and beautiful, and the musicians and singers were exceptional, the audience may have been expecting lighter entertainment at this holiday season. Listening to the work brought on tears to some and may have prompted others to go out and purchase a recording as it was so magnificently performed. However, in light of what’s happening in the world, it wasn’t a piece that would brighten the holiday season nor could one go home humming. Reading up on the work, reviewers describe the piece as Vaughn Williams’ “optimistic plea for peace.” So in support of Briggs choice, that plea is certainly something we could covet this holiday season. The WSO and vocalists are to be applauded for their exceptional performance of this Vaughn Williams work.
Lo, How a Rose serenely performed by a WSO quartet was a beautiful segué as the WWU Concert Choir with candles surrounded the audience. As Guelker-Cone directed from the back, the choir sang a beautiful arrangement of Silent Night sung in German and English, ending the concert with an emotional and moving tribute to the Holiday Treasures.
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