In the fading light of an early winter afternoon the Sacramento Masters Singers gave their most memorable Christmas concert at Sacramento's St Francis Of Assisi Catholic Church.
They processed in holding candles, first the men then women as they sang director Ralph Hughes' arrangement of "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel" which left the entire choir encircling the pews.
They moved into "A Christmas Round" by John Tavener which was sung in Greek by the women.
Then "Today the Virgin" by John Tavener. According to the notes Tavener's most well-known work was "Song for Athene" which was sung at Princess Diana's funeral.
Margaret loved the "Round" while I liked "Today the Virgin" where the basses maintained a rich undertone while the higher ranges sang a wonderful set of harmonies.
An antiphonal piece, "Alma Redemptoris Mater" by Tomas Luis De Victoria followed. As it was sung the light shining through the high stained glass windows of the sanctuary picked up the white gloves of the conductor and the entire space seemed to have a profound depth and richness that the music served to illuminate.
As the end of the "Alma" the singers processed to the back of the church and then formed a circle around a riser in the front center of the church where a small group of perhaps 10 sang "Salvation is Created" by Paul Tschesnokoff (arranged by Walter Ehret)
Next was Luboff's arrangement of "Still, Still, Still" and then an African-based "Magnificat" by Giles Sawyne. Filled with dissonance, I found this the most difficult work to encompass. Still, as it progressed I found much to enjoy.
The much more lyrical "I Saw Three Ships" arranged by Paul Carey was next. I've always liked this carol, but somehow it never seemed to fit into the vision of Christmas I grew up with in Ohio.
"Sou Gån" was next, a wonderful Welsh piece arranged by Lance Wiliford.
The first half of the concert ended with "Personent Hodie" arragned by Alice Parker. This one, like the piece before, is familiar.
After the interval the Master Singers sang an amazing antiphonal piece of Renaissance music by Thomas Tallis, the court composer to Queen Elizabeth. Sung as 8 choirs of 5 singers, the music was complex and rich. I found myself wanting to be the king so I could command them to stop and repeat it.
"Joy to the World" Mason/Handel arranged by John Rutter was next as the choir moved the front of the church, the a Christmas Carol Fantasy for us to sing along with and then a wonderful modern "Silent Night" arranged by Rhonda Polay with a killer solo by Nancy Balenzano. It felt like something you'd hear in a longe at first, but it gained in complexity while retaining it's modern jazzy feel.
"Coventry Carol" by Jonathan Rathbone was a much darker piece. After enunciating the theme it dropped into a dark dissonance to reappear with the Welsh carol intact, perhaps with a different meaning for the journey.
"Spanish Carol" by Andrew Carter was next, up tempo, it provided a lift into "The Christmas Song" sung by the women.
A choir of 10 sand "The Beginning of Winter" to the tune by Thomas Morley. You've heard the words on "Prairie Home Companion". Then a very modern "Deck the Halls" by the men arranged by Erick Lichte. Another modern arrangement with odd time signatures.
Then was John Rutter's "Gloria" for festival brass, percussion and organ along with the choir. It was a vibrant and amazing piece. The first movement featured the brass and choir, the second organ and choir, while the third melded all the elements.
And lastly the choir sang "Peace Peace" by Rick and Sylvia Powell intertwining it with "Silent Night"
The crowd leapt to its feet at the end with cheers and long-lasting standing ovation.
This was musically the most complex concert the Master Singers have attempted for Christmas. And it was a marvelous success. It's hard to know how they can get better.
9:12:39 PM 
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