http://classical-scene.com/2010/03/01/fine-distler-and-pinkham-from-fenwick-smith-recipient-of-2010-coro-allegro-award/ a virtual journal and blog of the classical music scene in Boston Wed, 23 May 2012 03:34:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 http://classical-scene.com/2010/03/01/fine-distler-and-pinkham-from-fenwick-smith-recipient-of-2010-coro-allegro-award/comment-page-1/#comment-1794 Ellen Cantarow Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:42:00 +0000 http://classical-scene.com/?p=2855#comment-1794 I thought this was a very thoughtful, careful, well-considered article. The criticisms seemed to me tactful in a generally very supportive piece. On a more personal note: two old and close friends - one, a German academic from Berlin who knows choral music intimately and well - were struck by David's innovative and passionate creativity with the repertoire. Both were especially and deeply moved by the Distler. We are very lucky to have David as a director, and very lucky to have each other - a chorus that always rises to the occasion and manages to reach heights (even when these are uneven) no matter what the accoustic challenges. I thought this was a very thoughtful, careful, well-considered article. The criticisms seemed to me tactful in a generally very supportive piece. On a more personal note: two old and close friends – one, a German academic from Berlin who knows choral music intimately and well – were struck by David’s innovative and passionate creativity with the repertoire. Both were especially and deeply moved by the Distler. We are very lucky to have David as a director, and very lucky to have each other – a chorus that always rises to the occasion and manages to reach heights (even when these are uneven) no matter what the accoustic challenges.

]]> http://classical-scene.com/2010/03/01/fine-distler-and-pinkham-from-fenwick-smith-recipient-of-2010-coro-allegro-award/comment-page-1/#comment-1771 Jean Beebe Tue, 02 Mar 2010 17:49:13 +0000 http://classical-scene.com/?p=2855#comment-1771 As an alto in Coro Allegro, I would like first to give kudos to David Hodgkins for his preparation and direction of the choir for this challenging concert. Each piece required a different musical vision from Hodgkins as well as changes in types of sound required by the choir itself. One of Hodgkins' consistent strengths is his ability to communicate with the choir expectations of both style and sound. Secondly, as a "middle voice", yes, I would agree that Church of the Covenant can be a difficult space in which to sing. The acoustics of Church of the Covenant are particularly challenging when we are singing in the lower parts of our range as was the case frequently in Sunday's repertoire. That said, there is nothing as satisfying as the warmth of Brahms (for at least this alto) who knew how to write for the sweet spots of ranges of the middle voices. Thanks again, David, for taking the choir and audience there. As an alto in Coro Allegro, I would like first to give kudos to David Hodgkins for his preparation and direction of the choir for this challenging concert. Each piece required a different musical vision from Hodgkins as well as changes in types of sound required by the choir itself. One of Hodgkins’ consistent strengths is his ability to communicate with the choir expectations of both style and sound. Secondly, as a “middle voice”, yes, I would agree that Church of the Covenant can be a difficult space in which to sing. The acoustics of Church of the Covenant are particularly challenging when we are singing in the lower parts of our range as was the case frequently in Sunday’s repertoire. That said, there is nothing as satisfying as the warmth of Brahms (for at least this alto) who knew how to write for the sweet spots of ranges of the middle voices. Thanks again, David, for taking the choir and audience there.

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