Brahms' Requiem - Salt Lake Choral Artists

Johannes Brahms

Several ensembles in the state of Utah have programmed Brahms' Requiem this year. A few weeks ago, Utah Chamber Artists in collaboration with the University of Utah singers conducted by Barlow Bradford performed it (click here to read my review) and this week both Craig Jessop with the American Festival Chorus and Brady Allred with the Salt Lake Choral Artists (SLCA) presented the masterpiece.

Brahms' Requiem is a remarkable work. It's movements are symmetrical and carefully crafted. Scholars and Academics have studied the work over and over again explaining exquisite craftsmanship Brahms uses, yet with all this form and theory, the work is dramatic and passionate and is among the greatest things Brahms wrote. Though the text is taken from the Bible and based on the Requiem Mass, Brahms was a fairly non-religious humanist and there is a notable absence of uniquely Christian doctrine in the mass. This was a mass for the living, it was meant to comfort those dealing with death. 

While Jessop and Bradford chose to perform the work in its original German, Allred decided to use an English translation of the text. This is a decision conductors wrestle with on a regular basis. Brahms wrote the Requiem in German, and the text is written to match the music in fluidity and stress and other factors; yet, the Requiem Mass is typically in Latin and Brahms chose to write the Requiem in German in order for it to relate and connect to the audience. As scholars debate what Brahms would have wanted, I think we can safely say "it's both," and both in German and in the language of the audience are appropriate and have their benefits. 

Originally planned to be performed with Brahms two-piano accompaniment, Allred began the concert by telling how his singers banded together to raise the funds to hire a full orchestra. This inspiring story, along with the dedication of the performance to a recently deceased choir member, provided a powerful mood for the music. From the first downbeat, the orchestra began playing and drew the audience in immediately. The subtle opening was quiet, but far from restrained. Each phrase and line had its independence and shine of brilliant interpretation. The choir entered delicately with such confident assurance of the music. They were well-prepared and had a clear connection to the work that translated extremely well to the audience.

Allred showed a remarkable understanding of the text and the music. His singers and orchestra executed each line and phrase in ways that emphasized the form and greater spectrum of the work, yet all shimmered in their own beauty and zeal. In the second movement already the choir and orchestra displayed their vast array of color and dynamic. It was almost a synesthetic experience as the incredible music and interpretation transformed the whole audience and touched them in indescribable ways. 

Soloists Tyler Oliphant and Carol Ann Allred were fantastic. Sometimes overpowered by the orchestra in his lower register, Oliphant has a beautiful color that lends well to this dramatic piece. His experience on the opera stage seemed to inform his performance that was nothing less than perfect. Carol Ann Allred performed her movement with such sincerity, singing it almost as a lullaby. The text "you shall be comforted" felt so authentic coming from her as she soared above the orchestra with such ease, it was the music of angels.

Each movement felt like a whole concert of emotion by themselves. Most notably, the first, second and sixth movements really showed off the choir's capabilities. They can sing the softest passages with emotion and lyricism, and the loudest passages with such reverence. Allred is a true master of the choir and bringing out passion and emotion that no other choir of this size in Utah can compare to. 

Brady Allred and the Salt Lake Choral Artists will perform this work again for the Cathedral of the Madeline's Festival this May. I beg you to not miss this performance. This is Brahms' greatest music getting one of the greatest performances you will have a chance to hear. There are some performances that are heard or listened to, and others that are EXPERIENCED. This is of the latter. I sincerely hope you have an opportunity to experience such exquisite music performed so well. These kinds of concerts are why we have music! Bravo!