Comments on: Review: Bach Collegium reveals the thrills of Handel’s ‘Theodora’ http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-06-28/things-to-do/review-bach-collegium-reveals-the-thrills-of-handels-theodora San Diego News Network provides breaking news and resources online including: travel guides, sports, hotels, restaurants, classifieds, and a business directory. Sat, 21 Nov 2009 13:18:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7.1 hourly 1 By: John http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-06-28/things-to-do/review-bach-collegium-reveals-the-thrills-of-handels-theodora/comment-page-1#comment-5864 John Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:53:03 +0000 http://www.sdnn.com/?p=28175#comment-5864 I disagree, the review is actually not bad for what turned out to be a somewhat provincial performance. It must have been a challenge for the writer to sound very positive towards the Bach Collegium (to help them grow I suppose. who wouldn't want to ?) and keep her credibility at the same time. And she did a good job: I noted the 'passionately proficient' for the orchestra which sounds almost accurate, Mireille’s 'charm' and pure voice (and nothing on her singing), the ‘_largely_ undaunted’ Derek Chester. She was however a bit overindulgent to countertenor Darryl Taylor. But in any case, this was probably a bit too much for the Bach Collegium at this stage. The strength of this group is the chorus, and presenting such a big-scale work relying so heavily on soloists and so little on the chorus doesn't make much sense. Musically as well as financially I suppose. In that regard, next season looks much better. Let's hope now that they will wait until they have achieved a better financial stability (so that they can hire greater soloists) and a better foundation for the orchestra before they present something so big again. (And remember that no less than Harnoncourt and his Concentus Musicus practiced privately for 10 years before they presented their first public concert. Food for thought.). I disagree, the review is actually not bad for what turned out to be a somewhat provincial performance. It must have been a challenge for the writer to sound very positive towards the Bach Collegium (to help them grow I suppose. who wouldn’t want to ?) and keep her credibility at the same time. And she did a good job: I noted the ‘passionately proficient’ for the orchestra which sounds almost accurate, Mireille’s ‘charm’ and pure voice (and nothing on her singing), the ‘_largely_ undaunted’ Derek Chester. She was however a bit overindulgent to countertenor Darryl Taylor.

But in any case, this was probably a bit too much for the Bach Collegium at this stage. The strength of this group is the chorus, and presenting such a big-scale work relying so heavily on soloists and so little on the chorus doesn’t make much sense. Musically as well as financially I suppose. In that regard, next season looks much better. Let’s hope now that they will wait until they have achieved a better financial stability (so that they can hire greater soloists) and a better foundation for the orchestra before they present something so big again. (And remember that no less than Harnoncourt and his Concentus Musicus practiced privately for 10 years before they presented their first public concert. Food for thought.).

]]> By: Theodora http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-06-28/things-to-do/review-bach-collegium-reveals-the-thrills-of-handels-theodora/comment-page-1#comment-5853 Theodora Mon, 29 Jun 2009 21:54:12 +0000 http://www.sdnn.com/?p=28175#comment-5853 I'm a bit disappointed in this dispassionate, awkward review. Such an extraordinary performance deserves far more eloquent description. I’m a bit disappointed in this dispassionate, awkward review. Such an extraordinary performance deserves far more eloquent description.

]]> By: elizabeth http://www.sdnn.com/sandiego/2009-06-28/things-to-do/review-bach-collegium-reveals-the-thrills-of-handels-theodora/comment-page-1#comment-5759 elizabeth Mon, 29 Jun 2009 07:48:34 +0000 http://www.sdnn.com/?p=28175#comment-5759 I was fortunate enough to attend the Santa Monica performance Sunday evening that was glorious indeed -- four hours of heavenly music -- and a welcomed respite from our chaotic world. I was fortunate enough to attend the Santa Monica performance Sunday evening that was glorious indeed — four hours of heavenly music — and a welcomed respite from our chaotic world.

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