CONTACT
The New Mexico Performing Arts Society7038 Camino Rojo
Santa Fe, NM 87507
505-474-4513
contact us at info@nmperformingartssociety.org
Linda Marianiello, President: linda@nmperformingartssociety.org
Winter Solstice Concerts Sparkle
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The New Mexico Performing Arts Society may be a new organization to
Albuquerque audiences, but one well worth getting to know. Founded by esteemed conductor Franz
Vote, formerly of the Metropolitan Opera, and acclaimed flutist Linda Marianiello, NMPAS brings
together some of the area's finest musicians for a variety of concerts throughout the year.
Last Saturday, their Winter Solstice concert featured a collaboration with the New Mexico Bach Chorale
in music of Bach and seasonal Renaissance motets. The First United Methodist Church in Albuquerque,
decked out in Christmas attire, provided an excellent venue for this first concert of the holiday season.
The program began with the Violin Concert in a minor (BWV 1041) by Bach performed by soloist
Ruxandra Marquardt accompanied by a quartet of strings and continuo (piano). The highly resonant
acoustic space gave the impression of a larger ensemble. Marquardt, who had only recently been a soloist
in the New Mexico Philharmonic's Bach concert, again played with a consummate mastery that was a
joy to hear. The outer movements were full of jaunty, contrapuntal rhythms, while the Andante provided
a model of beautifully sustained lines emanating like rays of sunshine.
A somewhat larger instrumental ensemble along with chorus and vocal soloists gave a splendid reading
of one of Bach's most memorable cantatas, No. 151 "Susser Trost, mein Jesus kommt" (Sweet
consolation). Soprano Jennifer Perez and flutist Marianiello combined exquisitely in the intertwining of
gorgeously extended lines, one of Bach's truly sublime creations. Paul Bower gave a strong, clear
reading of the following recitative, while mezzo-soprano Yasmeen Lookman[cq], in the aria "In Jesu
Demut," and tenor Ryan Allais completed the solo offerings. A resounding chorale, "Heut schleusst"
(Today He has opened the gates) capped off the performance masterly conducted by Franz Vote.
The second half, motets from the 16th century, included several recently discovered works from the Irsee
Monastery in Bavaria, particularly the Kyrie from the Missa super Signoras te, written by the Abbot,
Gregor Stemmele. Interestingly, a lively a capella performance showed the work to be in a very
madrigal-like, almost secular style rather than the more solemn nature one expects of a mass movement.
Hodie Christus natus est (Today Christ is born) was one of the most frequently set Renaissance
Christmas texts. Two versions were heard on the program, a richly-harmonic version by Monteverdi and
Palestrina's energetic setting of the "noel" section.
Jacobus Gallus Carniolus (a.k.a. Jacob(us) Handl, Jacob(us) Handl, Jacob(us) Gallus) born Jakob Petelin
Kranjski, would seem to set the record for composer's pseudonyms. A Slovenian of the late 16th century,
he represents the Counter-Reformation in Bohemia. His tuneful Rorate coeli desuper (Let dewdrops fall)
followed a lovely lilting pastoral, Angelus ad pastores ait, by Andrea Gabrieli, uncle of the more famous
Giovanni Gabrieli.
The program concluded with Mikolaj Zielenski's Viderunt omnes fines terrae with its wonderfully
vigorous Alleluia, Vote bringing forth the full sonic splendid of this excellent group of vocalists.
NMPAS can next be heard in Valentine's Day Concerts, February 20-21.
for New Mexico Performing
Arts Society
by D. S. Crafts for the Albuquerque Journal
Monday, December 7th, 2015 at 11:55 am
reprinted with permission
