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Detroit Any opportunity to bring
our fine German singing choirs together to perform for charity is a reason
for celebration and what better time for a celebration than in Oktoberfest
season. And what a celebration of choral singing and the spirit of charity
it was! On Sunday, September 23, 2007 the clear blue sky and the gentle
autumn breezes smiled on the event that took place at St. Joseph's Church,
on Jay Street, in Detroit. This was the second annual Oktober Choral Fest to
benefit the renovation fund of this magnificent and historic German church,
which, still today, regularly celebrates a monthly Mass in the German
language. It is one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in the area
and is an exquisite treasure. The church has been designated as a national
historical site of importance, as witnessed by the marker in front of the
building, and therefore, needs the continuing support of our community to
maintain the structure for the future.
Dr. David Carle greeted the sizable audience with a boldly performed
composition by J. S. Bach, on the St. Joseph Organ and gave the visitors a
preview of the beautiful music that was to follow. The celebration continued
as more than approximately 600 visitors finally took their places in the
church and listened to the concert that was performed by the singers of six
choirs. The talented singers were members of well-known, local German groups
as well as guest performers from a local Japanese male chorus. One after the
other, these choruses presented their chosen selections to the enthusiastic
audience.
The GBU Saxonia/Rheingold Chorus and the Schwäbischer Männerchor presented
thoroughly prepared songs by composers such as Brahms, Chopin, Bortniansky
and Beethoven, to name just a few. While the soloists, Monique Bates and
Irmgard Fernholz provided soaring performances, befitting the grand church
surroundings, of music by Robert Schumann and J. S. Bach. The voices seemed
to float through the air and gently echo back to the audience, sitting in
the rows of pews. Die Minnesänger featuring Annette Koerner and Wilfried
Mozer, presented two very challenging songs, by another very well-known and
proficient composer, Felix Mendelsohn, that seemed very complex and yet
seemed to fill St. Joseph church with lightly intertwined musical lines that
played in the beautiful acoustics of the vast interior.
The first part of the concert was brought to a climax as Wilfried Mozer, who
ably served as master of ceremonies with interesting commentary along with
his introductions, paid a moving tribute to the late George Beverst,
composer and music conductor of several German choirs over a period of more
than 40 years. We were told that, as a native New Yorker, he was born in
Brooklyn in 1929, George felt a personal involvement in the events
surrounding the 9/11 tragedy and felt compelled to reflect his deep emotions
in a musical composition for piano. Pianist Monique Simone concluded this
segment of the concert with a masterful interpretation of George Beverst's
original work, composed a year after the tragedy of 9/11, and entitled
Prelude & Lament for Manhattan".
Following the haunting piano performance of George Beverst's composition and
a short break to stretch the legs, the powerful St. Joseph Organ was put
through its paces by Henry Boon as he played another beautiful selection by
none other than J.S. Bach. The strong tones of this wonderful instrument in
the hands of such a capable musician as Boon served to invigorate the
audience in preparation for the music and the performers that were to
follow. The Carpathia Mixed Chorus, under the direction of Erwin Aufdemberge,
seemed to enjoy their songs, which spoke of the beauty of the mountains and
the deep serenity of song. The singers' interpretation of these themes
appeared to be heartfelt and was very enjoyable to hear. The beauty of the
Carpathia songs was a fitting introduction for the next group that stepped
forward to present their songs. The White Pine Glee Club, a male chorus that
is comprised primarily of Japanese singers, is a very well trained group of
men who not only enjoy their singing but also devote considerable time and
energy to perfecting their performance. From the first song, Ave Maria", in
Latin, to Freie Kunst", in German, to their last song, in Japanese, these
singers, under the leadership of their very capable director, Tom Shirai,
the individual voices melted together to form one wave of beautiful harmony.
It was a pure delight to hear this group perform their selections regardless
of the language in which the songs were performed.
The concert did not end here, however. The very capable Japanese chorus was
followed by another very ambitious group of singers who are members of the
Teutonia Windsor Chorus. This little group, Oktet Klassika, also takes
singing very seriously and offered a performance that was based on the idea
of equal voices in the four vocal registers of a mixed chorus, soprano,
alto, tenor and bass. Their selection Kyrie eleison", with its constantly
moving parts, clearly demonstrated that even a small group can make a
beautiful choral sound. This concept was further demonstrated as the
Teutonia Windsor Chorus, a relatively small group, proceeded to sing its
numbers, two of which were composed by the director, Henry Boon. I suppose
there is just a little bit of pressure on the singers when the director is
also the composer of the pieces, but this group did an excellent job of
interpreting the composer's creations.
It
was a real joy to hear the various choruses perform their songs about a
variety of subjects and composed by a tremendous list of well-known
classical composers. But, the real heroes of this concert were the four
gentlemen who stood before their respective choruses, in many rehearsals,
and taught the music, answered questions and concerns, repeated passages
over and over again, molded the individuals into a chorus and then directed
them, in their performance, so that the printed music came alive in song for
all of us to hear. These men are the direct connection between the
composer's imagination and our ears. After hearing a concert such as the
Oktober Choral Fest, we, singers and listeners alike, owe our heartfelt
admiration and appreciation to the directors that made it possible; Erwin
Aufdemberge, Robert Barnhart, Henry Boon and Tom Shirai. Thank you for your
patience, dedication and hard work.
In
addition to the beautiful music and the awesome beauty of the 134 year-old
church, the Oktober Choral Fest also provided other treats that made the
afternoon at St. Joseph Church a worthwhile experience. The authentic German
food, which included the traditional knackwursts and bratwursts, ham-hocks,
sauerkraut and potato salad, was perfect for the hungry concertgoer. And, if
that wasn't enough, the rest of the afternoon was filled with delicious
desserts, beer and wine, as well as a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle and
strolling musicians, all in the lovely new hall and adjacent tent, across
from the church. This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience is definitely an
annual event that is not to be missed in the future. Vielen Dank to St.
Joseph Parish and all the sponsors who made it possible.
Germaine Strobel |
