Musica Plenti, in keeping with their goal of presenting new music by regional composers, gave a distinguished program, "A Feast of Americana," February 8 in Greenwich, CT, that let people know what was happening and paid especial tribute to Constance Walton, a resident composer of national reputataion. The 12-voice vocal chamber ensemble was featured on the "Sunday Afternoons Live:" series at the First Congregational Church of Greenwich and received a standing ovation for their expert performances of intriguing and stimulating music. What marks this group is their absolute sincerity, dedication and joy, which transforms everything they sing. Several of the composers were present to recieve enthusiastic applause for their contributions. The concert had the elements of a "happening" where something new was being continually revealed, in contrast to so many routine programs of standard museum pieces. Much of the music had been commissioned by Musica Plenti in the course of its 17-year history. Walton, who like Mozart, can turn out music for a specific ensemble or occasion with easy skill, was represented by works that showed her lighter, whimsical moods as well as her more serious, demanding style. It was intriguing to reflect that eight of the 12 composers represented had at one time lived and worked within 40 miles of Greenwich. The group's conductor and artistic director, Robert Puleo, is himself a composer of exceptional ability, who is eager to give his colleagues the opportunity to demonstrate what they can do. Justine Macurdy, the singers' accompanist par excellence, was at the piano and oboist John Hanulik, whose sensitive obbligatos and solos have become a Musica Plenti trademark, added his special dimension. The program opened with American "classics," works by Oliver Shaw, William Billings, Jean Berger, Carl Van Buskirk, Samuel Barber and Charles Ives, demonstrating their range and flexibility of invention. Unlike many European composers, Americans have never clung to a national style, but gone their individual path as inspiration dictated. The Ives songs, transcribed for vocal ensemble by Herbert Haufrecht, reflected his more accessible moments, tender, personal, even sentimental, ending with his witty parody, reminiscent of a calliope, "The Side Show". In the segment of the program entitled "In Our Own Backyard", each composer represented had associations with Musica Plenti. John Velonis sang with the group for several years, and one of his pieces came from their commissioned work "Artaban the Stargazer." Another work, "Si tu t'imgines" was paired with a beautiful reverie, "Adieu, la jeunesse," by Eugenie Rocherolle, who was present in the audience to acknowledge the applause her moving work received. Both used a French text having to do with growing old, the Velonis piece sarcastic and droll, the Rocherolle work tender and nostalgic. The singers showed their versatility and skill in capturing both moods with eloquence. Director Puleo, who manages to sing intricate tenor lines as he conducts, was represented by his composition, "Shine," a resplendent love song for the sun based upon poetry by Walt Whitman. The "Tribute to Constance Walton," who has created a number of pieces especially for Musica Plenti, showed her variety of styles. The five delightful nursery rhymes from Mother Goose were filled with saucy modulations, comical twists and piquant symbolism. Walton's "Shepherd Gentle and Kind," written for Musica Plenti's "Artaban the Stargazer," showed her dramatic instincts in a tender and skillfully executed prayer. Her touching setting of a poem written by her mother, Helen Williams, "Angels of Peace," demonstrated versatility in creating music that combined changing meter with delicate sentiment.
In keeping with the Americana theme, Puleo closed with his imaginative "Ode to Freedom." It included familiar themes such as "The Battle Hymn of the Republic," "T'is the Gift to be Simple" and "America the Beautiful," using original modulations and dramatic harmonic transformations. It made an effective finale to a vital and original concert that kept getting better and better as it progressed. The large audience in attendance clearly showed they had been stirred by a concert that was truly special.
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