The Vienna Boy's choir on Friday night was a nice lead-up into Valentine's day. I mean, what could be more adorable than a pack of little boys in sailor suits? Yet, when they started right off with "O Fortuna," from Carmina Burana, it was like receiving a huge unexpected kick in the stomach. Their rendition of ABBA's "Chiqitita" had similar effects. Which leads me to the roller coaster ride, that was the first half.
To begin, I don't understand the division of the choir. The director often conducted from the piano that was placed in between the boys. Does this have something to do with tradition? I have seen small ensembles split and directed this way… but never choral groups. (Even if the arrangement is a tradition – is Chiqitita? Enough said). This created two problems with the boys: 1. Listening between sections 2. The confusion of who to watch. I often spotted the young men looking at each other from across the stage, yet I never saw as much contact with the audience. (I will especially attest to the lack of zest when performing, "Psalm 61," with cheesy clapping).
Yet, let me tell you – there was a boy who really came to the spotlight during Schubert's Die Nacht. He had numerous solos, and it was beautiful. All of them. And, despite my attempt at harassing the director for some of his musical choices (a.k.a. a song from the musical Rent, which, if I remember correctly, is about sex and drugs… and has also been used too many times as high school show choir ballads), he had some wonderful picks. Andy Icochea Icochea's "Et Lux in Tenebris Lucet" for example. I'm a sucker for the spoken text + song combo. They also performed another winner that was arranged by Icochea (after intermission), which had nice richness and was a nice break-up from the usual soprano showcase.
I would have to say that the boys finally began to enjoy themselves during the second half, which isn't too surprising. I would rather sing Waldhansl (clapping and stamping dance) than any Gregorian chant if I were eleven. Even so, I witnessed lots of yawns on stage- perhaps due to the 2 hour 15 min. concert. I was tired myself. Then again, it was worth it.
Molly
