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| From France Days 7-9 |
Translation by Ray Bailey:
Last evening, [July 20, 2010], as part of the 35th Music in Morvan Festival, the public of Autun had the opportunity to discover an exceptional performance in the city’s cathedral. Direct from the United States, Antioch presented a program in which sacred and secular music were combined in the best ways. Being the little darling of the festival with only twelve singers, Antioch shines by the power and presence of its members. Without giving the impression of forcing at any moment, the artists used every bit of space at their disposal in the religious edifice masterfully.
Considered one of the best choral groups in the United States, the choir offered the European premiere of a work written by Eric Whitacre. Entitled “the city and the sea”, the piece is composed of five short movements accompanied by piano and based on texts of poet e.e. cummings. The ensemble presented a creation resolutely modern and dynamic.
A concert in the form of recognition.
This premiere proves to what degree the festival has become a reference point for choral singing today. All visibly as moved as the public, the singers delved within themselves to present this premiere at their best. Joshua Copeland, the choir’s director and the creator of this vocal ensemble was not visibly displeased before an audience which rose to its feet to acclaim the singers for an evening so rich in emotion.
Unfortunately, the public did not come out in very great numbers for this exceptional evening. In fact, barely a hundred spectators were present in a cathedral which could have contained at least three times more. This bitter note is an even greater shame, given that this year the festival has been recentered a bit more around Autun, in order that tourists and locals alike might enjoy it.