The first four notes of Ludwig van Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony have become virtually unmistakable, even to the most ignorant of listeners. But Beethoven was as industrious as he was creative, and while there are some pieces that loom large in his legend, there are also some masterpieces, just as glorious, that aren’t as universally recognized.
The Allan Hancock College Singers, under the direction of Ann Lucas, D.M.A., and the San Luis Obispo Chamber Orchestra, directed and conducted by Keith Waibel, have joined forces to present one of these pieces: Beethoven’s Mass in C major, a mammoth work from Beethoven’s famous “middle period” that’s rarely performed.
“This is a magnificent work that is commensurate in composition with the Fifth Symphony, the Sixth Symphony, and the Fifth Piano Concerto, which are all works we light candles at the altar of,” Lucas said.
But rather than a piece of purely instrumental music, Beethoven’s Mass is a setting of the ancient Latin texts from the Bible established by the Catholic Church to be performed by chorus, solo singers, and orchestra. Beethoven always composed from the soul, no doubt, but having been baptized Catholic, the Mass is potently powerful.
“You can see he put it all out there; he didn’t hold anything back,” Waibel said. “This is his greatest expression of his love for his maker.”
Waibel has been conducting ensembles since his high school years. He started as a clarinetist for the San Luis Obispo Chamber Orchestra in 2001 and stepped up as director and conductor three years ago. The orchestra and the AHC Singers have collaborated before. In the fall of 2008, the two ensembles performed Vivaldi’s Gloria, which, like this program, will be sung in Santa Maria and Arroyo Grande.
“The choir was much smaller then, but it has grown a great deal. It is really a wonderful choir,” Waibel said. “This piece is rarely performed because it’s such a difficult choral work, and choral directors don’t want to do what Dr. Lucas has done—and the students—and that is to put in so much energy and effort to make this work.”
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Speaking as a member of the choir’s bass section, I can attest to that. Beethoven’s use of syncopated rhythms, higher vocal ranges, and polyphonic fugal passages requires hours of out-of-class practice.
“This is major repertoire that professional ensembles do,” Lucas said, “and here we are, a community college on a shrinking budget, and we are still going to do it.”
“The commitment of the singers, their love of this piece, and their willingness to work on it long hours has just been unmatched since I’ve been here,” she added, “and I think that is the music calling. Everybody wants to do honor to the Beethoven.”
The third component of the performance, besides the orchestra and chorus, is the solo singers. Arranged in soprano, alto, tenor, and bass format, the solo singers hold up just as much of the music as do either of the other two ensembles.
The soloists include Allan Hancock College vocal teacher Dianna Delore, who will sing the soprano solo part; Cal Poly grad Laura Pryzgoda, will sing the alto solo part; Evan Griffith, who will sing the tenor solo part; and local pastor Dave Brogren, who will sing the solo bass part. The singers were also featured in the choir’s performance of Pergolesi’s Magnificat last semester. The solo singers are given many moments of startling beauty, often singing four part harmony a cappella, without the support of the orchestra.
“Beethoven still feels so fresh and so modern,” Lucas said. “The older we get, the more antique he becomes, but the music remains still so fierce and imaginative, and so edgy.”
The first half of the program will appropriately feature a work by Johann Sebastian Bach, arguably Beethoven’s greatest influence. Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins in D minor will be performed by the SLO Chamber Orchestra and conducted—as is customary with this piece—by one of the solo violinists. The piece should set a wonderful mood, awakening the spirit of these centuries of musical tradition, and preparing the listener for the almost hour-
long Mass.
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“There is certain music that will last forever, and this is some of that music,” Waibel said. “There is a lot of music that was written then that we don’t hear today. What we are doing is honoring those permanent pieces of music.”
Music at the Maverick
The Maverick Saloon in Santa Ynez presents the country music of Jimi Nelson Band on Nov. 4 at 8:30 p.m. followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. Concert on the Deck is on Nov. 5 at 3 p.m. Jimi Nelson and the Gang perform country music Nov. 5 at 8:30 p.m., followed by DJPJ at 11:30 p.m. “Tales From the Tavern” features I See Kawks in L.A., Kelly Joe Phelps, and Corrine West on Nov. 9 at 7 p.m. Tickets are available at 688-0383 or talesfromthetavern.com.
Journey ‘Over the Rainbow’
Local song and dance man Gale McNeeley will entertain with the help of pianist Betty Faas and his program Over the Rainbow, a Musical Tribute to Yip Harburg on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. at Temple Beth El, 1501 E. Alvin Ave., Santa Maria. Cost is $15, $12 in advance. More info: 354-0480.
Pieces for the parlor
The Lompoc Music Association presents its second concert of the season featuring “The Parlor Performers,” including pianist Lynne Garret and violinist Brynn Albanese, performing classical and romantic selections on Nov. 6 at 3 p.m. at the Valley of the Flowers, 3345 Constellation Road, Vandenberg Village. Cost is $18, $6 for students. More info: 735-4777.
Contact Calendar Editor Joe Payne at jpayne@santamariasun.com.
This article appears in Nov 3-9, 2011.