This weekend brought two events that ostensibly revolved around the religious message of the Christmas season, but couldn’t have been more different. Friday through Sunday nights were occupied by the 11th annual Oregon Symphony Gospel Christmas extravaganza. I had taken time off during this set of concerts for the past couple years, so it was nice to be performing it again. The quality of the choir and soloists was better than ever – with conductor Charles Floyd remarking that it may have been the best year to date. Clearly, an audience has been built for this extraordinary presentation, and they were out in force and helping to raise the roof on the poor Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall.
And now, for something completely different.
Saturday and Sunday afternoons featured Trinity Episcopal Cathedral’s Christmas at the Cathedral program. This was a program of traditional Anglican choral music fare, with one true rarity: Respighi’s Laud to the Nativity for chorus and winds and piano. Even more rare: hearing OSO principal oboist Marty Hebert playing the English Horn (and very well, I might add) with OSO Assistant principal oboist Karen Wagner playing principal oboe (also stunning). Trinity’s Canon Dr. John Strege was the conductor for the concerts, leading his last year of programs as Trinity’s Director of Cathedral Music after 37 years of service to the community.
It’s amazing the difference between these two programs. Each totally effective in its own world, but totally different in style while conveying the same message. The power of music to communicate is indeed a wonder!
