Photo by Kyle Vertin
EMMA SCHAIBLE
Special to The Leader
Inside the immaculate King Concert Hall, the audience was surrounded by the peaceful and splendid musical sound of orchestra and choir. On a snowy April afternoon, the Western New York Chamber Orchestra’s (WNYCO) “Chords and Cords” concert, conducted by Glen Cortese, seemed as magical as the beautiful window that unintentionally showcased the light snow outside.
Last Sunday, members of WNYCO came to Fredonia and were hosted by the Classic Series Season. The audience was introduced to two guest violinists: Michael Ludwig and his wife Rachael Ludwig. The Fredonia Women’s Choir, conducted by Dr. Vernon Huff, performed a collaborative piece with WNYCO. Three Fredonia students were vocal soloists throughout selected movements of the piece “Missa Sancti Aloysii.” The three featured Fredonia singers were senior Lucille Horn (soprano), graduate student Marie Karbacka (soprano) and junior Meredith Smietana (mezzo-soprano).
Huff, conductor and assistant professor of Choral Music Education, said that the Fredonia Women’s Choir “began preparations for this [concert] a year ago … and the women got the music in September.” Huff stated that since the “the music [was] so great,” he hopes “that people [were] uplifted by it and [walked out of King Concert Hall thinking] ‘wow, that was great.’”
“[I hope the piece] expose[d] people to a great work that isn’t performed that often,” said Huff about “Missa Sancti Aloysii,” since the music is not so well-known.
The audience was greeted by WNYCO Executive Director Julie Newell who welcomed all to the concert that consisted of sophisticated music composed by highly-revered masterminds J.S Bach, Glen Cortese and Johann Michael Haydn.
Before the concert began, sophomore early childhood education major Mikayla Capesfrani said she was looking forward “to seeing experienced people play.”
The first portion of the WNYCO: Chords and Cords concert featured guest violinists Michael and Rachael Ludwig with members of WYNCO. As soon as the first note was played from WNYCO, the audience was taken back into the 18th century with Bach. The title of the piece was “Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043” and consisted of three movements.
During the transition from movement to movement, the audience remained quiet with the utmost respect. New waves of emotion covered King Concert Hall as each movement was played. Throughout the piece “Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, BWV 1043,” the Ludwigs shared a common understanding with each other. Their harmonies remained perfectly in tune, and in synch, throughout.
The next piece, titled “Concerto for String Quartet and String Orchestra” was composed by Cortese and featured Michael and Rachael Ludwig, as well as Bryan Eckenrode (cello) of WNYCO and Brian Walnicki (viola) of WNYCO. This second piece of the program consisted of three movements. The last movement, titled “Fast and Fleeting,” was played at a vivace pace. The amount of control and precision that was required to play at that tempo, with accuracy, was astounding.
A small intermission took place and then the Fredonia Women’s Choir gracefully walked on stage during the welcoming applause from the audience. The Fredonia Women’s Choir sang “Missa Sancti Aloysii,” composed by Haydn. This piece comprised six movements in total, with the fourth movement split into two parts.
The piece ended with the fifth movement “Agnus Dei.” Translations of the Mass were included in the program pamphlet for audience members to refer to as the Women’s Choir sang.
Huff explained that collaborating with the WNYCO “was fantastic for the women because it gives them a chance to do something professional with professionals.”
Freshman Margaret Maxwell, a double-major in oboe performance and music education, praised the concert, calling it one of the Women’s Choir’s best.
“The collaboration between the professional orchestra with students is very good for [students] to excel, especially when we get out into the big-world,” said Maxwell.