I’m still glowing after last night’s Early Music Hawaii concert, “Portuguese Polyphony,” but not because of anything on my part. You see, I really only had one piece to play with the ensemble, so I was able to enjoy listening to most of the concert. Scott Fikse, director, assembled an A-list team of singers and instrumentalists to explore Portuguese Renaissance music.
First of all, I was unfamiliar with the repertoire, and I had no idea the music was so beautiful in its harmonies and sonorities. I have to say that the intonation and sensitivity of the choral singing was exquisite, absolute perfection.
And to think that they put this concert together in less than a week is astounding… I should know — I went to the first rehearsal where things were a bit rough!
If I were an audience member and took the audience survey, I would have chosen #5 from this list:
How much did you enjoy this concert?
5—One of the top concerts I have attended or viewed online in the past year
4—One of the better concerts I have attended or viewed online in the past year
3—About average
2—Below average
1—Poor
Here’s what Scott himself said:
Obrigado!
Dear EMH Ensemble, Congratulations to you all and my sincere thanks for a lovely evening of music. We had over 100 in the audience and many new faces. That’s great for EMH. I’m also grateful for the seamless rehearsal process and the gifts that you each brought to the group…. It’s always a bit of a challenge to become an ensemble with a core group that only comes together twice a year. That being said, I think we did well with our limited time and created a vibrant, matched tone (especially in the 4-part pieces) and authenticity on stage. To you instrumentalists that had your first foray into early music, I hope this is the first of many (sackbuts incoming!).
We received comments from the audience who either sent personal notes or filled out the audience survey.
Such beautiful music and execution last night. Thank you to all the EMH people who embrace us with their gifts.
Aloha Kathy, We so enjoyed the Portuguese Polyphony concert last night. Your organ playing was fascinating and a wonderful addition to the concert. Thank you.
This was really beautiful. I didn’t expect the vocals as much as it was but it was perfect.
The concert was superb, as always when Scott comes to town.
I have been so impressed with Scott Fikse’s expert conducting ever since he went to graduate school. His gestures are precise with an economy of motion, yet he conveys such musicality in his conducting. He reminds me a lot of the late Edith Ho, who for years was at the Church of the Advent in Boston. And he can sing the bass part and conduct at the same time!
One particularly special moment for me was during “Jesu Redemptor” with two antiphonal choirs — one in the loft, and the other in front of the organ console, and the audience in-between. I think the audience liked it, too!
Oh, by the way, I worked on my four settings of “Ave Maris Stella” by Manuel Rodrigues Coelho for about three weeks, but I was never happy with the stops I chose — the organ sounded too Germanic! (Duh… it’s a Beckerath organ from Germany!) so yesterday morning, THE DAY OF THE CONCERT, I completely changed the registration, and some people remarked that the organ sounded different from usual. That was intentional!
I played a duet with Phillip Gottling who played tenor recorder.
We took a group selfie after the concert! Can you find me? I’m standing next to Scott Fikse, at the far left.
Here is a list of everyone in the concert: Scott Fikse, director; Sienna Achong, Erica Glenn, Taylor Ishida, soprano; Sarah Lambert Connelly, Rachel Dunbar, Rachel Wooler, alto; Tomás Ramos, Bowe Souza, Nicholas Keone Lee, tenor; Sean Kauhini, Kasey Nahlovsky, Scott Fikse, bass; Arthur Davis, trombone; Clay Moses, trombone; Duane Padilla, violin; Phillip Gottling, recorder, dulcian; Keane Ishii, percussion; Katherine Crosier, organ.
Stay tuned for the next Early Music Hawaii concerts: October 23 and 25 with Trio Sefardi.