Samuel Barber's Reincarnations - 1. Mary Hynes / 2. Anthony O'Daly / 3. The Coolin

[TrueTenorOne]

I am currently working on these 3 pieces with Penn State's concert choir, and knowing first hand how difficult they are, I must say that this is a fine performance. I do feel that all 3 pieces are a bit on the fast side, particularly Mary Hynes and parts of The Coolin. But that is just personal opinion. Nice dynamic range in all 3 pieces, as well.

[denialofinsanity]

@schanteuzer

They obviously coughed on purpose only to ruin the performance completely. What fiends! You're right, we should adopt physical violence for those evil sick folk!

[MaikoZafiro]

Hey! That's me!!! I'm in this!

But the altos always went flat on "Lovely and airy." And I do think Mary Hynes went a litle too fast.

I liked Anthony O'Daly but the soprano entrance at the very beginning of the piece could have been much better. And the "After you there is nothing to do" was a little sloppy because it was almost undistinguishable until the second word of the phrase...I guess some sopranos were stuck on "An-tho-NYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!­"

[MaikoZafiro]

@MaikoZafiro

The Coolin I think is almost flawless.... I thought some words were...missed...because of lack of diction in trying to be so legato. And I HATE IT when people sing "awwnd" insteand of "ahnd...." It's my one and only OCD...

And...AH!!! I totally heard Alex on "Until talk is a trouble too." (I miss you!)

[MaikoZafiro]

@MaikoZafiro

Overall, I will say that I really liked our performance. The Coolin was, is, and will forever be my favorite choral piece EVER. Even above Barber's Lux Aurumque (which I will sing with my choir for our Christmas concert). Even before John the Revelator (which I sang with my choir the spring of my sophomore year). Even above...well, everything.

[MaikoZafiro]

@MaikoZafiro And to the hater, that's OK. You weren't too bad about expressing yourself. I agree that the "Ah!" in Mary Hynes was like a wailing wall. In our rehearsal setting, though, it was much more distinguishable; it was a church, which as compared to the Clay Center's main stage, is much better for a chamber choir. We also only rehearsed on the stage for a half hour that very morning, so the transition from "small" to HUGE space was awkward for us.

Thanks for the critique, though.

[juancillo]

way way way way way way way too fast

[AkhmedSync]

Rhythmic integrity is sloppy. The "Ah!" is just a wall of indistinguishable noise. Also, too much vibrato. It takes away from the harmonic color.

[AkhmedSync]

This is really bad.

[brownsotne1]

@AkhmedSync Fortunately, your opinion is just that and nothing more, for this performance is done with much musicianship, sensitivity and elan. The Reincarnations are difficult to perform, and this group has done a super job of bringing Barber's work to fruition.

[brownsotne1]

@AkhmedSync Fortunately, your opinion is just that and nothing more, for this performance is done with much musicianship, sensitivity and elan. The Reincarnations are difficult to perform, and this group has done a super job of bringing Barber's work to fruition.