INTERVIEW: National Chorale gears up for Bernstein’s 100th
There are a lot of celebrations that the National Chorale is ready to commemorate. For one, there’s the company’s 50th anniversary, and for another, there’s the 100th anniversary of Leonard Bernstein’s birth. To bring all of the remembrances together, the choral company will present Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms at a special concert Friday, Nov. 3 at 8 p.m. at Lincoln Center’s David Geffen Hall.
For the special Nov. 3 concert, audience members will have the chance to hear Orff’s masterpiece, which involves a story of Medieval traveling students and monks who enjoying gambling and drinking. Bernstein’s selection is topically more solemn, but still triumphant, depicting the composer’s hope for brotherhood and peace, according to press notes.
Soloists for the evening are Elizabeth Caballero, Matthew Truss and Johnathan McCullough.
Everett McCorvey, artistic director, of the National Chorale, has been leading the company for four seasons. He has been working with singers and choruses for more than 35 years and also founded the American Spiritual Ensemble, a group that performs spirituals and other works by African-American composers.
Recently, Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with McCorvey about the Nov. 3 show. Questions and answers have been slightly edited for style.
This is an interesting pairing for one night of music. What inspired the pairing of these two works?
Carmina Burana is one of the staples of our repertoire. It is also, without a doubt, one of the most popular pieces in the entire classical music repertory. We hear it in movies (I first heard it in the movie Excalibur in 1981). I’ve loved it ever since!
As for the Bernstein, we are part of the celebration of the 100th anniversary of Bernstein’s birth. Orchestras, opera companies and choirs around the world are celebrating Leonard Bernstein who was born Aug. 25, 1918. Throughout this season and next, we will champion some of this master’s magnificent choral works.
Chichester Psalms is one of his greatest choral pieces and pairs well with the Carmina Burana because of the similar musical forces needed for both works. Both pieces give us intense power, sublime beauty and simply joyous musical moments!
What are some of the challenges of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana?
Carmina was written in several different languages and styles. Some of it is sung in Latin, some in Middle High German, some in old French. These multiple languages make us work very hard to get the composer’s message to the audience. Add to that a complex rhythmic structure as well as intricate balance issues, and we’ve got a challenge that we cannot wait to tackle and conquer on Friday night.
What makes Leonard Bernstein’s music so unique?
Leonard Bernstein is truly the United States’ own composer. He fused classical music, jazz and popular tunes and melodies in a manner that we find with no other musicians. Not only was he a great conductor, but also he brought the symphony orchestra into so many peoples’ lives. What would the movie and music scene be in America without On The Town, On the Waterfront and, of course, West Side Story?! Especially in New York, Leonard Bernstein’s music has the ability to speak to many different people and be a unifying force in a time of great division. He always will be America’s maestro.
In your fourth season, have you realized some of your original dreams for the National Chorale?
The National Chorale has always been a venerable music-making organization. But, especially lately, I am particularly amazed and impressed with every single rehearsal, meeting and performance. Our singers and musicians are working harder than ever. Our board and entire staff love and care for our organization. Simply stated, we’ve never been stronger and more vibrant! My dream of singing major repertoire at the highest level, with the finest musicians in New York, is happening every day. Even more than that, we have an audience that supports us and is invested in what we do. It truly is a dream come true to bring Orff and Bernstein’s music to life with such an amazing audience experiencing these powerful works with us!
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
The National Chorale’s concert of Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana and Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms will be performed Friday, Nov. 3 at David Geffen Hall in Manhattan. Click here for more information and tickets.
