CD track list, with MP3 sound samples of about 1 minute. Concert preview announcement. Concert review. "Power and Majesty" Concert, 2002-2003 Season: "Imagine" Columbus Philharmonic Chorus David Bowden conductor Rachel Mercer Holland soprano Scott Six tenor Hannah Penn mezzo-soprano Daniel Cole bass 26 April 2003, First Christian Church, Columbus Indiana, CIP Release 108 Disc 1 Requiem Mass by Giuseppe Verdi (in Memory of Alessandro Manzoni) for soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor and bass with mixed chorus and orchestra TIME Disc 1 . Click the symbol below for an MP3 sample of about 1 minute. QuickTime sample is smaller file. 45:30 TRACK I. Requiem & Kyrie 8:43 1 (INDEX: 1) Requiem, chorus 5:12 (INDEX: 2) Kyrie, soloists, chorus 3:31 II. Dies irae 36:47 Dies irae, chorus 2:29 2 Tuba mirum bass, chorus 3:07 3 Liber Scriptus, mezzo-soprano, chorus 5:03 4 Quid sum miser, soprano, mezzo-soprano, tenor 3:38 5 Rex tremendæ, soloists, chorus 3:26 6 Recordare, soprano, mezzo-soprano 4:20 7 Ingemisco, tenor 3:21 8 Confutatis, bass, chorus 5:17 9 (INDEX: 1) Confutatis, bass 3:53 (INDEX: 2) Dies irae, chorus 1:24 Lacrymosa, soloists, chorus 6:06 10 Disc 2 . 39:54 Disc 2 III. Offertorio: Domine Jesu Christe, soloists 9:35 1 IV. Sanctus, chorus 3:14 2 V. Agnus Dei, soprano, mezzo-sop., chorus 5:28 3 VI. Lux æterna, mezzo-soprano, tenor, bass 6:44 4 VII. Libera me, soprano, chorus 14:53 5 (INDEX: 1) Libera me 2:34 (INDEX: 2) Dies irae 2:39 (INDEX: 3) Requiem æternam 3:06 (INDEX: 4) Libera me 6:37 Total Time: 1:25:24 Preview in THE REPUBLIC newspaper, Columbus Indiana "'Requiem' Philharmonic's Finale " April 23, 2003 Staff Reports The Columbus Indiana Philharmonic closes its 2003 season on Saturday with Giuseppe Verdi's "Requiem." Conductor David Bowden anticipates an especially moving and passionate performance. "The Verdi 'Requiem' is one of the most spectacular, awe-inspiring works in classical music &emdash; from a haunting portrayal of judgment day to some of the most beautiful and dramatic music for soloists, chorus and large orchestra ever written," Bowden said. "The combination of our outstanding chorus and orchestra with these amazing soloists promises to be an especially impressive, exciting and memorable concert experience." The four soloists featured in the philharmonic performance are: Rachel Mercer Holland, soprano, of Columbus Holland is pursuing a doctoral degree in music literature and performance at Indiana University's School of Music. "Rachel is an amazing talent who is definitely going places and is on her way to a major solo career," Bowden said. She won the Brown Vocal Competition in 1993 and most recently appeared as Donna Anna in the IU Opera Theater production of "Don Giovanni." This summer she will perform with the Cincinnati Opera. Hannah Penn, mezzo-soprano Penn is pursuing a master's degree in vocal performance at Indiana University. She has recently appeared as Cornelia in "Giulio Cesare" and Marcellina in "Le Nozze di Figaro," both with the IU Opera Theatre, and as the mezzo-soprano soloist in the American premiere tour of John Adams' "El Nino." Her upcoming performances include the role of Suzuki in "Madama Butterfly," with the Brevard Music Festival. Scott Six, tenor Six is a master's degree student at the IU School of Music. He has appeared with IU Opera Theatre, the Janiec Opera Company, Chautauqua Opera Company and the Indianapolis Symphonic Choir. Daniel Cole, bass Cole has performed with numerous opera companies from New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis to Taiwan. He has a master's degree in conducting from IU, where he is completing work on his doctorate. Also participating in the drama of Verdi's "Requiem" is the Philharmonic Chorus. "They have been working on this incredibly challenging music since January and are singing superbly. This will be one of the finest chorale performances we have ever given," Bowden said. Verdi composed "Requiem" in 1874, after being deeply affected by the death of Italian novelist Alessandro Manzoni. Review in THE REPUBLIC newspaper, Columbus Indiana May 1, 2003 Charles Webb, Dean Emeritus, Indiana University School of Music Giuseppe Verdi wrote his magnificent Requiem Mass to commemorate the death of the great French writer, Alessandro Manzoni. With its first performance in 1874, he gave to the world one of its greatest musical masterpieces-indeed some have called it "Verdi's finest opera." It certainly incorporates all of the characteristics of grand opera-dramatic solo and choral writing, large and lush orchestral forces, and a setting of text that captivates the listener from beginning to end. Last Saturday evening's presentation of this towering masterwork by the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic Orchestra and Chorus and an impressive solo quartet brought the large audience at First Christian Church a brilliant and powerful performance. Advertised as "Power and Majesty," it incorporated both of these elements in stirring fashion. From the opening hushed tones of the Requiem aeternam, conductor David Bowden had his singers and instrumentalists in excellent control. The blend and balance of the large choral forces were exemplary, diction was clear, and dynamic contrasts were carefully worked out. The chorus should be especially commended for it's a cappella singing in this section, ending on pitch-a virtue not all choruses obtain. The striking entrance of the solo quartet brought new vitality, each singer negotiating difficult solo lines with finesse and ease. The terrifying, opening chords of the Dies Irae produced a stunning effect. There is probably no more effective use of the bass drum in all of orchestral literature than its solo use at the beginning of this movement. Hannah Penn's resonant mezzo-soprano was particularly moving in the Libera me. She sang with warmth, beauty of sound, and projected well over the full orchestra with an astonishing dynamic and vocal range. David Cole's full-throated bass also projected well, but he sings with a very covered, almost muffled sound, which affects the pitch at times. Rachel Mercer Holland possesses a soprano voice of unusual beauty, power and communicative ability. She can float top notes, including high c's, with accuracy and a full, resonant sound. It was thrilling to hear her voice soar over the entire orchestra and chorus. The poignant duet, Recordare, was particularly affecting as interpreted by Ms. Penn and Ms. Holland. The Ingemisco gave an opportunity for Scott Six to show the extraordinary scope and fullness of his tenor voice. Occasionally his sound is so forward and bright that it loses roundness and resonance. However, he projected the text and musical power of this magnificent section with strong emotion and wide, carefully-executed dynamic range. Mr. Cole's intelligent singing of the Confutatis maledictus brought the drama of this section to life. The repetition of the opening searing chords of the Dies Irae once again gave the excellent orchestra and chorus an opportunity to exhibit the tremendous range of sound and emotion that they projected all evening. A few pitch problems occurred in the Lacrymosa, where the quartet was not always accurate. They negotiated the beautiful Offertory with a superb sense of ensemble singing--small variances in pitch occurring occasionally. The orchestra provided the muted, effective ending of this movement. Verdi chose to write a Sanctus, not in the typical slow, almost lugubrious fashion that we hear in many masses, but as a dazzling tour de force, requiring nimble, fast rhythmic singing. Here the chorus showed its superior training once again with well-honed phrases and excellent diction. The fine brass section brought the Sanctus to a rousing conclusion. The last three movements brought this monumental work to a brilliant finale, giving both soloists and ensemble forces opportunities to bring probing drama to both text and music. The entire piece was skillfully conducted by David Bowden, who welded his singers into a supple singing unit that negotiated the difficult operatic vocal lines with finesse. He brought cohesiveness, excellent tempos, and passion to one of music's most inspired works. I hope that the citizens of Columbus, Indiana, realize and appreciate what they have in such a talented, dedicated group of musicians. tbd tbd tbd tbd tbd tbd